Embraer Makes Sale

Flybe, the low-cost UK airline formerly known as British European Airways, placed a firm order with Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (Embraer) to buy 14 Embraer 195 jets for $470 million, with the option of buying 12 more. The first of the planes will be delivered in the second half of 2006. The Embraer 195, with 118 seats, is part of a new line of jets being developed by the company to expand from the 50-seat regional jet market its shares with Canadian competitor Bombardier. Flybe is the second low-cost carrier to buy Embraer’s new jets. JetBlue, a US discount carrier, ordered 100 Embraer aircraft for $3 billion in June 2003.