A top executive at Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer expressed optimism Sunday about future opportunities to introduce the company’s E2 aircraft series to the Chinese market.
Speaking at a gathering of airline industry leaders in Rio de Janeiro, Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer revealed the company maintains a focused presence in China’s capital.
“We have a dedicated team in Beijing, they’re day-to-day working in China,” Meijer told Reuters during the industry event.
The executive believes Embraer’s aircraft could serve as an ideal addition to China’s domestically manufactured planes.
“We believe the E2 family is the ideal complement to the indigenous products of China,” he stated.
According to Meijer, the company’s E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft would bridge the gap between China’s smaller C909 and larger C919 models, providing airlines with greater operational flexibility for connecting various cities throughout the nation.
The Brazilian manufacturer is currently engaged in talks with prospective customers, with Meijer noting that Chinese authorities have already certified the E2 aircraft series.
Embraer has faced difficulties securing new contracts in China following the 2016 shutdown of an executive aircraft joint venture located in Harbin.
The company announced an agreement in 2023 to modify passenger aircraft into cargo planes in Lanzhou, though this fell short of industry expectations for direct airline sales.
“China has its own challenges. So we’re in discussions. We do believe we will find a moment to bring the E2 into China, but we’ll have to give that some time. We’re not there yet,” Meijer acknowledged.
On a separate topic, the CEO indicated Embraer is not prepared to develop larger aircraft models despite increasing customer demand.
The company continues to concentrate on its primary market segment of aircraft accommodating approximately 150 passengers, where it faces competition from Airbus’ A220 series while remaining smaller than the popular A320 and 737 aircraft families from Airbus and Boeing.
“Our customers are asking for a bigger aircraft, it’s no secret. But that’s such a big decision for a company like Embraer. We’re not there. We are currently very satisfied with the segment up to 150 seats,” Meijer explained.
