Embraer assessing home for new parts and support centre in MENA

Speaking at the Connectivity in Africa airline conference organised in Nairobi by the Brazilian manufacturer, Mathieu Duquesnoy vice president, commercial aircraft Middle East and Africa said the company had already been growing its support network but recognises that it needs more.

“ 21% of the total Embraer customer base is now in Africa and the Middle East. We have been making a study to look at where to position a parts business and also to look at other areas such as training,” Duquesnoy said.

New E170 and E190 jets have been delivered to Gulf Air in Bahrain and Oman Air in the past year and Duquesnoy said the feedback had been extremely positive.

“During the problems in Bahrain, Gulf Air utilised the E170s on a number of the routes usually operated by the larger 150-seat narrowbodies. The aircraft performed well.”

Embraer has an approved service centre with EgyptAir Engineering for all of the Ejets as well as MRO support for the aging Embraer turboprob fleet in Morocco and South Africa.

There are 130 Embraer aircraft in the region divided equally between jets and turboprops and Duquesnoy said the potential for the 70-120 seat market is huge.

“There is great potential here,” he said.

“71% of all intra-Africa flights are flown without competition and an incredible 86% of all flights have fewer than 110 passengers. If you don’t need 150 seats why fly with 150 seats,” Duquesnoy said. “It’s all about the cost of the trip not the cost of the seat.”