Le Bourget - KLM kjøper 15 Embraer E195-E2 med opsjon på 20 - FINN

Foto: Per Gram

KLM announces preliminary deal for 35 Embraer E195-E2 jets

Dutch airline signs for 15 firm orders with purchase rights for up to 20 jets in $2.48bn deal

KLM Cityhopper is to purchase up to 35 E195-E2 jets, 15 firm orders with purchase rights for a further 20 aircraft of the same model.

The intention was announced at the Paris Air Show, with the pending purchase agreement expected to be in the region of $2.48 billion, based on Embraer's current list prices. The order will be added to Embraer's backlog as soon as a firm contract is completed.

The E195-E2 – which Embraer has nicknamed ‘Profit Hunter’ - is set to help KLM grow its European business and support its hub-and-spoke operation, complementing the mainline fleet. KLM Cityhopper started the process of replacing its fleet of Fokker aircraft for E-Jets in 2008 to enhance the existing network and to permit the efficient development of new routes.

Largest Embraer operator in Europe

KLM Cityhopper's all Embraer fleet currently has 49 E-Jets, the largest E-Jet fleet in Europe – 32 E190s and 17 E175s. John Slattery, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation said: "With a fleet of 49 E-Jets, KLM is already the largest Embraer operator in Europe and adding KLM to the E2 family of operators would be a huge vote of confidence in Embraer, our after sales care, and the E2 programme. The aircraft uses 30 per cent less fuel per seat compared to KLM Cityhopper's current E190s. And in terms of aircraft noise, the aircraft is the quietest in its class both internally for passengers, and externally, by a significant margin.”

KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers, added: "Embraer has been a key partner for KLM and Cityhopper over the past ten years. Our customers appreciate the E190 and E175s. The E2 would be a welcome addition to the KLM fleet, giving us greater capacity flexibility and help to manage down costs. In addition, the environmentally friendly E195-E2 also supports our sustainability goals with lower levels of noise and emissions."

KLM Cityhopper is Europe's largest regional carrier. In 2018 it operated more than 300 flights per day from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to 72 European destinations. KLM Cityhopper's fleet now consists entirely of Embraer jets, including 32 E190s and 17 E175s and is the single largest Embraer fleet in Europe.