Royal Jordanian has finalized the order for eight Embraer E2-jets that was announced as a Memorandum of Understanding in October last year. The airline will not purchase all aircraft directly from Embraer but will source six aircraft through lessor Azorra. Royal Jordanian finalizes Embraer E2-order.
Royal Jordanian will lease four E190-E2s and two E195-E2s from Azorra for delivery from Q4 this year. The aircraft come from Azorra’s existing order backlog. Another two E195-E2s are a direct order with Embraer. These aircraft were listed in Embraer’s undisclosed orders list since Q4 last year.
The E195-E2s will have a cabin with 12 Crown Class with 53 inches of legroom and 108 Economy Class slimline seats. The smaller E190-E2s come with 12 Crown Class and 80 Economy seats.
“Following extensive feasibility studies, Royal Jordanian selected Embraer’s E2 as the best fit for its financial objectives and network strategy,” Samer Majali, the airline’s Vice Chairman and CEO, says in a media statement.
“Royal Jordanian has been operating Embraer aircraft for fifteen years, and the E2 reduces the investment cost of pilot training and spare parts provisioning significantly, whilst also lowering crew scheduling and maintenance costs. The aircraft also provides 25 percent fuel savings compared to current aircraft, resulting in operating cost savings as well as significant carbon emissions reductions supporting the airline’s environmental strategy and targets. We are also pleased to, once again, work with the Azorra team. We appreciate their confidence in RJ and the E2″.
Long-time customer of Azorra
The airline has been a customer of Azorra for over a decade since it first leased a single E175. “Royal Jordanian’s selection of the E2 underscores our belief that it is a natural next step for existing E1 operators, providing next-generation economic and environmental efficiencies, while maintaining the familiarity and dependability offered by Embraer,” said Azorra’s Chief Executive Officer, John Evans. The lessor has E2’s on lease to Porter Airlines and concluded an agreement with Scoot earlier this year. Azorra signed an order for twenty E2s plus thirty purchase rights in January 2022.
For Embraer, the announcement means a confirmation of the long association with Royal Jordanian. The airline operates two E175s and two E190s of some fifteen years of age. “We are honored to be selected by Royal Jordanian Airlines to provide the next generation of regional aircraft, a central part of the airline’s major fleet modernization plan. We are proud to continue our long association with Royal Jordanian, and welcome Azorra, who are extremely active in our market, to yet another Embraer deal,” said Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation.