EMBRAER ANNOUNCES SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES ORDER
FOR 15
EMBRAER 170s
The aircraft will be deployed within Saudi Arabian Airlines’ domestic and regional markets
São José dos Campos, April 25, 2005 – Saudi Arabian Airlines today announced a firm order of 15 EMBRAER 170 aircraft, with first delivery scheduled for December 2005. The airline becomes Embraer’s first customer for the type in the Middle East.
The final contract, to be signed Wednesday in Riyadh, has a total value of about US$ 400 million at list price. All aircraft will be configured in a two-class layout with a total of 66 seats, six of which will be assigned to first class.
“I am sincerely pleased with our selection, as the Embraer’s new jet will provide Saudi
Arabian Airlines with the possibility to expand our domestic and regional aviation activity. By right-sizing our fleet with the EMBRAER 170, we are aiming at better serving our domestic and regional markets. The aircraft will offer our valued customers with optimum comfort and a highly reliable service,” said H.E. Dr. Khaled A. Ben-Bakr, Director General Saudi Arabian Airlines. “Our choice reflects the level of confidence we have in Embraer as a leading manufacturer of commercial jets.”
As it enters its 60th year of operation, Saudi Arabian Airlines is strongly committed to the
development and expansion of services within the Kingdom and the region. The airline intends to deploy its newly acquired EMBRAER 170 within its domestic and regional markets, adding frequencies on existing routes and eventually developing mini-hubs at Hail City in the North of the country and Abha in the South.
“We are particularly proud and honored to welcome such a prestigious airline as Saudi
Arabian Airlines to our growing family of customers,” said Maurício Botelho, President and
CEO of Embraer. “Saudi Arabian Airlines’ decision to select the EMBRAER 170 represents a milestone in the development of regional aviation within the region. We are privileged to be providing the very first regional jet aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to continuing the strong partnership that has developed between our two companies during the many years ahead.”
As of March 31, 2005, the EMBRAER 170/190 family had logged 357 firm orders and 387
options.