THIS WEEK
fiightglobal.com 10-16 April 2018 | Flight International | 7
Boeing seeks peace
as trade war looms
This Week Pmost obvious change is its new
Pratt & Whitney PW1900G
geared turbofan engines, which
are considerably larger and heav-
ier than the GE Aviation CF34s
they replace, but the airframer
has also developed a new high-
aspect-ratio wing – the most effi-
cient on any single-aisle – a
smaller horizontal stabiliser and
a new trailing-link landing gear.
In the cockpit, full closed-loop
fly-by-wire controls have been in-
troduced, while still retaining suf-
ficient commonality with the E
series that pilots can convert to the
new type after just 2.5 days.
All these changes contribute to
a fuel-burn improvement over
the previous-generation model of
17.3%. About 11% comes from
the new engines, the remainder
from the fly-by-wire controls and
extensive aerodynamic clean-up.
A revised cabin has also been
introduced, featuring overhead
bins that are 3in (7.62cm) deeper,
to accommodate a carry-on bag
for each passenger. Seats are ar-
ranged in a two-by-two layout –
as on the E1 – with capacity for
between 97-114 passengers, de-
pending on the cabin density.
Widerøe has opted to carry 114
passengers using seats with a
29in pitch and 2° of recline.
The Norwegian airline was a
surprise choice for launch opera-tor, given its long allegiance to
turboprop flying. But, says Em-
braer Commercial Aviation chief
executive John Slattery, its tech-
nical and maintenance capabili-
ties, and experience of flying in
harsh conditions, means it is ide-
ally suited to the role.MORE ACTIVITY
“We do not anticipate any signifi-
cant issues with the launch of
this aircraft. All that being said, to
have an airline with the rather
unique capabilities that Widerøe
brings made them a perfect
launch customer,” Slattery says.
Although orders for the entire
E-Jet E2 family – which also in-TIE-UP
Airframer ‘doesn’t need’ Boeing deal, but both would benefit
Although Embraer had hoped
the focus of its 4 April handover
event would be on the delivery of
its first E2-family E-Jet, inevitably
the spectre of its ongoing talks
with Boeing about a possible tie-
up hovered over proceedings.
Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva,
Embraer’s chief executive, de-
clined to comment on the status
of the discussions, but believes
there will be substantial benefits
for both the Brazilian manufac-
turer and Boeing if the pair can
agree how to combine forces.
“We don’t need it to happen,”
says Souza e Silva. “Embraer is in
a very good position now, with a
very strong balance sheet.
“However, when we look to-
wards the future, given the [mar-
ket] dynamics, and given that
every company would like to
grow, in order to have Embraer
grow faster, we would need a
move like this one [with Boeing].”
The two companies disclosed
in late 2017 that they were in
talks about a possible “combina-
tion”, although few details haveemerged on the structure or
scope of any such tie-up.
Boeing would also benefit
from a closer union, says Souza e
Silva, who notes: “It is a good
strategic move, given the capa-
bilities that we have.”
A planned alliance between
Airbus and Bombardier, centred
on the latter’s CSeries pro-
gramme, appears to have
prompted the talks between
Boeing and Embraer, with a suc-
cessful conclusion now hinging on
Brazilian government approval. ■cludes the E175 and E195 – have
been slow in recent years (the
most recent was Widerøe’s 2017
commitment for three) Slattery is
confident that Embraer will se-
cure more deals this year.
“It is clear and evident to
everyone that there is a constant
throughput of airline chief execu-
tives visiting São José [dos Cam-
pos] to see the E2,” he says.
“There has been a meaningful up-
tick in commercial activity, which
will culminate in discussions
closing in the coming quarters.”
For the airline’s part, Nilsen
says the carrier was “extremely
proud” to be selected as launch
operator for the E190-E2.
“Working with Embraer has
been a pleasure – they share
many of our values. We are im-
pressed by the airplane, but most
of all we are impressed by the
people of Embraer,” he says.
Widerøe will receive its two
subsequent aircraft in May and
June, but while it also holds op-
tions covering an additional 12
jets, Nilsen is in no hurry to firm
those commitments.
“After the summer vacation we
will start thinking about the next
step,” he says. “We are not con-
verting [options] at the moment;
we have to keep focused on entry
into service. If we can find a good
position in the market in Norway
then I am sure we will move.” ■EmbraerStaff at the São José dos
Campos plant were out in
force to mark the occasion