São Paulo – Embraer delivered on Friday (22) the first of five Embraer 175s ordered by Oman Air in 2009. The aircraft should be used in domestic routes from Muskat, the capital of Oman. This version of the aircraft has 71 seats – 11 in executive class and 60 in economy class.
The Embraer 175 may fly up to 4,450 kilometres without refuelling. According to the Brazilian company, Oman Air CEO Peter Hill said that the aircraft should help the company fly to destinations that could not be serviced by larger aircraft. He pointed out that the company should expand its domestic services to Khasab and added that other airports are being built in the country.
To the Embraer executive vice president for the Airline Market, Paulo César de Souza e Silva, sales of the Embraer 175 to Oman Air confirms the great presence of E-jets in such "a complex marketplace."
The E-170/E-190 family includes four models for 70 to 122 passengers. According to the aircraft maker, aeroplanes in this family may fly at up to 41,000 feet (12,500 metres) and reach a top speed of Mach 0.82 (approximately 820 km/h).
This aircraft started flying in 2004 and 700 aircraft have already been delivered. Orders total 950 aircraft. According to Embraer, of the aircraft in operation, around 50 are being flown by companies in the Middle East. Eight companies in the region fly jets in this family.
The Embraer contract with Oman Air forecasts the delivery of five Embraer 175 models and options for five other aircraft. The company from Oman also acquired a spare parts service. This way, the airline does not need a stock of parts for the aircraft and Embraer agrees to spot delivery upon order.
*Translated by Mark Ament
