Le Bourget. 20 June 2017. Embraer has signed an agreement with Japan’s Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) for a firm order of three E175s, with purchase rights for an additional three aircraft of the same model. This brings the total potential order to an estimated value of USD 274 million, based on 2017 list prices, if all purchase rights are exercised. The firm order will be included in Embraer’s 2017 second-quarter backlog.
FDA currently operates 11 aircraft – three E170s and eight E175s. In addition, FDA has also extended the agreement for Embraer’s Flight Hour Program (Pool) for up to eight years.
“In 2009, we started our airline operations with two E170s and since then, we have expanded our network within Japan and increased our flight frequency,” said Yohei Suzuki, Chairman and CEO of Fuji Dream Airlines. “Embraer’s E-Jets have been part of this journey and its reliability and performance has been outstanding. Our careful network planning, along with the E-Jets, has enabled us to profitably expand and deliver the best service to our passengers.”
The E175s will be configured in a single-class layout with 84 seats and will be equipped with the Autoland system to perform CAT III approach and landing in limited visual conditions. The E175s feature aerodynamic enhancements such as a new wingtip and other technical improvements that have a proven track record of reducing fuel burn.
“Beyond sales, today’s announcement is also the recognition of the strong partnership that started eight years ago between Embraer and Fuji Dream Airlines,” said John Slattery, President & CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “We have been working together to realize FDA’s dreams of expanding its network in Japan and bringing out the best in the E-Jets in terms of schedule reliability and reduced fuel burn achievements. We will continue to stand with Fuji Dream Airlines as they enter their next phase of growth.”
FDA and Embraer have also signed an extension of the Pool Program to cover its fleet of E170s and E175s, including these new orders. The program includes the advance exchange and repair management for more than 300 essential line replacement units of the aircraft. In 2016, FDA achieved a 12-month schedule reliability of 99.87% – one of the world’s highest among all E170 and E175 operators.
With aircraft based in Nagoya and Shizuoka, FDA operates six to eight flights daily per E-Jet to around 15 cities in Japan such as Fukuoka, Sapporo (Okadama and New Chitose) and secondary cities such as Hanamaki, Yamagata and Matsumoto. FDA’s fleet is instantly recognizable by its brightly colored aircraft, some of which are painted gold, silver, green tea, pink, yellow and purple. FDA is part of the Suzuyo Group which also owns an E-Jets full-flight simulator to provide pilot and fleet training for its staff.
