Estonian Air chose Embraer E-Jet family to support its long-term strategy

Estonian Air has selected Embraer, the largest producer of regional aircraft, as a regional jet manufacturer. Estonian Air is estimating a requirement for 12 Embraer E-Jet aircraft that enable the company to increase flight frequencies, open new destinations and to operate at least double daily services to main destinations in Europe. The airline is committing to pragmatic and sustainable growth in the future.

The first four 76-seater Embraer 170 will be delivered to Estonia in February 2012 under a lease agreement with Finnair. The aircraft will be used for replacing the existing Boeing aircraft and for growth. The company is currently negotiating with the manufacturer and lessors on the delivery schedules and conditions for the further eight aircraft. These aircraft will be a mix of E-175 and E-190 models, which offer 88 and 112 seats respectively. The aircraft are scheduled to enter the fleet in 2013-2015 time period.

According to Tero Taskila, the President of Estonian Air, Embraers suit for the company's new strategy due to their efficiency, appropriate size and flying range. "The positive arguments for our customers are Embraer's travel comforts that are comparable with that of a larger aircraft, the cabin is quiet, more spacious and has extra space for hand luggage," he explained.

Embraer E-Jet 170 is a 76-seater new generation passenger aircraft that is meant for regional airlines. Embraers are air-bridge capable at all airports, which make the boarding and leaving the aircraft more comfortable for the passengers.

"Smaller airlines, such as Estonian Air has to be flexible. Embraer E-jet family offers range of sizes which allow us to also to offer aircraft similar size to existing smaller Boeing aircraft, but at the same time keep single fleet type efficiency and regional aircraft operating cost levels. Having a smaller and larger version of the same type of aircraft means significant economic efficiency for Estonian Air. We can change the aircraft size based on demand on routes, thus reducing the need to reducing the need to change amount of flight frequencies based on seasonality" added Taskila.

Info about Estonian Air
AS Estonian Air, Estonia's national carrier, is the biggest operator at Tallinn Airport.
Estonian Air focuses on improving the connection between Estonia and the rest of the world with the aim of increasing competitiveness as a network carrier hub.
Estonian Air flies to 25 destinations in CIS, Scandinavia and Europe. The airline has recently announced new destinations for next summer, such as Helsinki, Riga, Jyväskylä, Hannover, Vienna, Venice, Kokkola/Pietarsaari, Joensuu, Kajaani and Tbilisi.
The ticket prices start at 49.9 euros, if purchased from www.estonian-air.com, including all fees and taxes, baggage, snacks and soft drinks on longer flights and soft drinks on flights that last less than 1 hour.

Info about Embraer
Embraer is one of the world's largest aircraft manufacturers and the market leader in the regional jets segment. The company has a wide customer base all over the world - 60 airlines in 40 countries.
Embraers' body concept optimizes underfloor baggage compartment volume and handling conditions. The Embraers have a higher baggage compartment, meaning better working conditions for baggage handlers and faster handling process. Embraers have low operational costs and great revenue potential.

In 2010, Embraer had a 70% share of the 60-120 seater aircraft market. The company has a wide customer base all over the world but most of Embraer's clients are European airlines, for instance Flybe, Finnair, Lufthansa etc. Currently, Embraer has orders from Europe to produce over 260 aircraft. Embraer is based in South-America, Brazil.