Embraer Finalizes Deal with Austral

Embraer has finalized a contract for the sale of 20 E190ARs to Austral Lineas Aereasof Argentina, the Brazilian manufacturer announced last month. Originally disclosed in May 2009, the contract remained conditional on “several requirements,” all of which the parties recently met. From the 20 jets on order, Embraer had already included three in its firm order backlog for the first quarter of 2010 as “undisclosed.” Embraer plans to deliver the first airplane in July. The 2,400-nm-range E190ARs will seat 96 passengers in a two-class cabin configuration, including eight “executive” class seats.

Austral plans to use the E190s to replace older jets on domestic routes, increase current flight frequencies and serve new cities. The sister company of Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral flies a fleet of aging MD-80-series jets. The new E-Jets will allow the airline to fly any route within Argentina’s territory nonstop.