FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer announced today at the Farnborough Air Show that Zurich based Helvetic Airways has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for 12 E190-E2 and purchase rights for a further 12, with conversion rights to the E195-E2. If all purchase rights are exercised, the deal has a list price of USD 1.5 billion. The order will be included in Embraer's backlog as soon as it becomes firm, which will happen in the coming months.

The first 12 E190-E2 aircraft will begin replacing Helvetic's five Fokker 100s and seven E190s, starting in late 2019 and completing in autumn 2021. The purchase options for a further 12 aircraft (E190-E2 or E195-E2) will enable Helvetic Airways to grow according to market opportunities.

Tobias Pogorevc, CEO of Helvetic Airways, said, "Our existing Embraer fleet is performing with excellent dispatch rates and our Fokker 100s have been very productive in the last 12 years. However, with the new E2 family, Helvetic will consolidate its highly reliable operation with the quietest and most efficient next generation aircraft available. Furthermore, moving from the current E190 to the E2 fleet will be simple for our well-trained pilots, as only two and half days of 'non-simulator' transition training is needed."

"Being entrusted with an airline's entire fleet refreshment is a deep honour for Embraer, and an important endorsement of the service Helvetic has already received as a long term E-Jet customer," said Martyn Holmes, Vice President Europe, Russia, Central Asia & Leasing, for Embraer Commercial Aviation. "Respect for the environment in which they operate, coupled with a clear desire to grow, makes the E2 – the cleanest, quietest, and most efficient aircraft family in the segment – the perfect solution to help realise Helvetic's significant ambitions."

Helvetic's plans to operate to London City Airport in the future received a further boost last week (13^th July) when the E2 made its debut at the airport located in the city of London. 

Embraer is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats. The Company has 100 customers from all over the world operating the ERJ and E-Jet families of aircraft. For the E-Jets program alone, Embraer has logged more than 1,800 orders and 1,400 deliveries, redefining the traditional concept of regional aircraft.

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About Helvetic Airways

Helvetic Airways AG operates seven Embraer 190 and five Fokker 100 aircraft. Four Embraer 190 aircraft are in the long-term service of Swiss International Air Lines as part of an ACMI partnership. Helvetic Airways uses the remaining aircraft for ACMI flights and their own scheduled and charter business. Helvetic Airways also operates a maintenance facility at Zurich airport (EASA Part 145). The company currently employs 440 staff. 

Helvetic Airways has worked in close cooperation with Horizon Swiss Flight Academy Ltd., Kloten, Switzerland (www.horizon-sfa.ch), since April 2008. Both companies are part of the Helvetic Airways Group, Freienbach, Switzerland.

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Contact for Media inquiries:
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About Embraer

Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defense & security. The company designs, develops, manufactures and markets aircraft and systems, providing customer support and services.

Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. About every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers, among other activities, across the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe.

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SOURCE Embraer S.A.