Embraer on Wednesday celebrated the delivery of its 2,000th E-Jet, a milestone the Brazilian manufacturer said places the programme among the world's three largest commercial jet families. The aircraft, an E195-E2, was handed over to Azul Linhas Aéreas, Brazil's largest airline by number of destinations served.

Since entering service in 2004, the E-Jets family has grown to serve more than 90 airlines across over 60 countries, according to Embraer. The fleet has accumulated approximately 48 million flight hours and carried more than 2.85 billion passengers worldwide, the company said.

"The delivery of the 2,000th E-Jet is an extraordinary milestone for Embraer and for the global aviation transport industry," said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. "As one of the world's three most successful commercial jet programs, the E-Jets family has played a vital role in connecting communities, opening new markets, and creating sustainable growth opportunities for airlines. We are proud to celebrate this milestone alongside Azul, one of our valued long-standing partners."

Azul, which began operations in 2008, has operated more than 140 E-Jets and became the launch customer for the E195-E2, taking delivery of its first unit in 2019. The milestone aircraft also marks Azul's 50th E2-generation jet.

"E-Jets family has played a fundamental role in Azul's journey," said John Rodgerson, CEO of Azul. "Since our very first flight, operated on December 15, 2008, aboard an E190 aircraft registered as PR-AZL, Embraer aircraft have enabled the expansion of air connectivity across Brazil, bringing cities closer together, stimulating markets, and creating new opportunities for millions of Customers. Receiving the 2,000th E-Jet, which also marks our 50th E2 aircraft, is especially meaningful to us because it represents not only a major milestone for Embraer, but also the strength of a partnership that has helped transform regional aviation, enhance connectivity across Brazil, and deliver significant improvements to our customers' onboard experience."

The E-Jets family spans the first-generation E170, E175, E190 and E195, along with the second-generation E190-E2 and E195-E2. Embraer said the programme's success has helped the company expand beyond its traditional regional aviation base into the global small narrowbody segment.

Founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft to date and says one of its aircraft takes off somewhere in the world roughly every 10 seconds.

Source: PR