SkyWest orders 100 new E-Jets E2 from Embraer as a launch customer

SkyWest and Embraer signed a firm order for 100 E175-E2 aircraft, with another 100 purchase rights, bringing the total potential of the order to 200 aircraft. The announcement was made on June 17th, at a press conference at the 50th International Paris Air Show. If all the orders are exercised, the contract has an estimated value, at list price, of $9.36bn. This new contract is in addition to SkyWest’s previous order in May 2013 for up to 200 current generation E175 aircraft, and therefore the potential order of E-Jets at SkyWest may reach 400 aircraft. As the first operator to order the E175-E2, SkyWest becomes the launch customer for that aircraft, one of three E-Jets E2 models. SkyWest, of St. George, Utah, USA, is the largest regional airline group in the world. It is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines, both of which have been long time operators of Embraer aircraft. More than 40 EMB 120 Brasilia turboprops continue to fly in the SkyWest Airlines network, primarily in the western states. ExpressJet Airlines operates 249 aircraft from the ERJ 145 family and has the largest ERJ fleet in the world.