EMBRAER 190 JET TO EXPAND KENYA AIRWAYS FLEET

São José dos Campos, June 20, 2011 – Embraer and the Kenyan national flag carrier Kenya Airways signed an agreement subject to final documentation for the acquisition of ten EMBRAER 190 jets, today, at the 49th Paris Air Show, in France. The deal also includes options for another ten aircraft, which could be either the EMBRAER 190 (E190) or the EMBRAER 170 (E170).

“Kenya Airways’ decision to increase its fleet of EMBRAER 190 jets is great news, and we are delighted with this further sign of confidence from the largest E-Jets operator in Sub Saharan Africa,” said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, Embraer President, Commercial Aviation. “Complementing the existing E-Jets in their fleet, this is proof of the reliability and efficiency the jets bring to airlines, demonstrating the versatility, economics and performance of the E-Jets family.”
With the projected order, the total number of E-Jets ordered by Kenya Airways comes to 20, considering aircraft acquired directly from Embraer or through leasing companies.

Kenya Airway’s E190 will be configured in a dual-class layout with 96 seats: 12 in business class and 84 in economy. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012. As the first E-Jets operator in Africa, since 2006, the airline has been operating five E170s and two E190s under agreements with leasing companies. Three E190 jets remain to be delivered this year and in 2012.

“As we continue to focus on the expansion of our network with longer routes from our hub in Nairobi, the acquisition of new EMBRAER 190s is the backbone of our growth strategy,” said Titus Naikuni, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive of Kenya Airways. “We believe that the performance of the aircraft, combined with its outstanding level of cabin comfort will stimulate air traffic in Kenya and will contribute to the success of Kenya Airways.”

The EMBRAER 190 is the third of the brand-new four-member Embraer E-Jets family of commercial aircraft and entered service in August 2005. The jet may be configured in one or two classes, seating 98 to 114 passengers in a comfortable four-abreast (2-2), no-middle-seat, configuration, and can fly up to 2,400 nautical miles (4,450 kilometers) nonstop.