Embraer still unsure which turboprop version to launch first

Embraer has not made a firm decision yet on which version of the new turboprop it will bring to the market first: the 70-seater or the bigger 90-seater. The airframer is continuing its market research that includes discussions with airlines about their preferences, although the two TPs should enter service not long after another in 2028. Crucial will be how pilot shortages in the key US market will be solved. Embraer still unsure which turboprop version to launch first.

During this week’s Media Day presentations at the main factory in Brazil, Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer provided an update on the turboprop. The 90-seater is seen as the model suited to most markets whereas the 70-seater would be targeted for the crucial US market, specifically when it is configured as a 50-seat with a dual-class cabin layout. “We have several customer discussions and we get pushed in both directions, so we are in the process of giving it a very good thought”, Meijer said. Senior Vice President of Engineering, Luis Carlos Affonso, said earlier during the Media Days that a decision on which version will come first will be market-driven: “It hasn’t been decided yet.”