Brazilian Company Sells Planes to ChinaThe Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer Wednesday announced its first order from China, worth about US$100 million, at the opening ceremony of its Beijing representive office.Embraer signed a letter of intent with the China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Corporation and Sichuan Airlines on the sale of five 50-seat ERJ145 aircraft. The first ERJ145 is expected to be delivered in September. "This is a major milestone for Embraer," said Mauricio Botelho, president and CEO of Embraer. "The Chinese market is a critical component of Embraer's global strategy because we forecast rapid growth for regional aviation in China." To introduce its commercial aircraft, Embraer is conducting ERJ145 flight demonstrations in Urumqi, Chengdu, Kunming, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai from May 12-June 4. Industrial experts said the overall losses plaguing China's civil aviation enterprises have made many airlines consider buying feeder liners, or small aircraft flying regionally. They predicted that China's demand for feeder liners in the next 20 years to be more than 400. Lan Xinguo, president of Sichuan Airlines, said his company plans to register a share-holding company specializing in regional flights, "We will at first open several feeder lines to major tourist areas." As one of a few profit-making airlines in China, Sichuan Airlines operates four Yun-7 aircraft, four TU154, five A320s, one MA60 and two A321s. The ERJ145 will be the first 50-seat regional liner flying in China, Lan said. |
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