Embraer SA to develop its first turboprop aircraft

Brazilian plane maker Embraer SA is exploring strategic collaborations globally, including in India, to develop its first turboprop aircraft.

Strategic collaborations are one of the pillars on which Embraer will move ahead, and we'd be remiss not to consider India in that. India has some great associates, Martyn Holmes told the media on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Doha.

This is the first time Embraer is making a plane with such global strategic financial and industrial collaborations, he said.

The firm is talking to several potential partners around the world, and some of those are in India. It could be industrial and financial conglomerates, Holmes said.

Embraer had earlier sought to build its first turboprop as part of a $4 billion consolidation of its commercial business with Boeing. The planned partnership was axed by the American plane maker in April 2020, leading Embraer to start the search again. Another nation Embraer is glancing at for potential partnerships in South Korea.

Holmes said the collaborations could entail risk-sharing on the project. Embraer plans to launch the plane by the start of next year and press it into service by 2028.

Despite the instances of multiple regional airlines folding up or struggling financially in India, Holmes said he is positive about the sector.

The latest instance is south Indian carrier Trujet, whose planes' lessors have aimed to deregister for non-payment of lease rentals.

A rare survivor is Star Air which flies Embraer ERJ 145 jets. Holmes said that they think the firm is at that point where the potential could be realised going ahead in the near to medium period.

Image Source

---

Also read: Akasa Air welcomes arrival of first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Delhi