By Aviacionline
Royal Jordanian orders ten Embraer E2
Royal Jordanian Airlines and Embraer have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the introduction of two variants of the E-Jet E2 aircraft family, produced by the Brazilian manufacturer, into the Jordanian flag carrier’s fleet.
The agreement was sealed at the Istanbul Air Show by Royal Jordanian Vice President and CEO Samer Majali and Embraer CEO, Arjan Meijer. The document details that the operator plans to add ten aircraft over the next few years. Deliveries would include the E190-E2 and E195-E2 variants.
According to Royal Jordanian, the E190-E2s will have a 12-seat configuration in Crown Class (the airline’s Business Class service) and 80 seats in Economy for a 92-seat configuration. The larger E195-E2s will have the same number of seats available in Crown Class and 108 seats in Economy. The seat configuration will be 2-2, with two seats on either side of the centre aisle. The aircraft will have the traditional interior features of both variants, including larger luggage bins, adjustable ambient lighting, and high-speed wireless connectivity.
Samer Majali said the choice for the Embraer’s medium-range twin-engine family is related to the lower fuel consumption these aircraft offer. The move is part of the fleet expansion and modernization program that the company will undertake over the next few years.
Royal Jordanian has been an Embraer customer for fifteen years. It currently operates two E175s and two E195s. As such, the chosen alternative will reduce investment in crew training programs and reduce spare parts procurement costs. The new aircraft would provide up to 25% fuel savings per flight and per seat compared to those currently in the fleet.
“Embraer is honored to be selected by Royal Jordanian to provide the next generation of regional aircraft to their fleet”, said Arjan Meijer. ” The E2 family of advanced-generation E-Jets offers the quietest, lowest polluting, and most fuel-efficient aircraft in the under 150-seat market”, he added.
Royal Jordanian is not only moving forward with regional fleet renovation: the carrier has recently signed an agreement with Airbus to introduce up to twenty A320neo (New Engine Option) family aircraft to replace the thirteen A320ceo (Current Engine Option) that the Jordanian flag carrier currently operates. The company assured that they developed «exhaustive feasibility studies» to choose the best option to replace its A319ceo, A320ceo and A321ceo. Also, Samer Majali confirmed that discussions are underway with Boeing to add four 787-8s in the coming years.
Currently, Royal Jordanian has seven aircraft of this kind in its fleet. In addition, the company’s top executive commented that they are evaluating the possibility of acquiring airplanes of the larger capacity 787-9 and 787-10 variants.
