The E195-E2, the biggest aircraft developed by Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, began its global demonstration tour at the Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport on Monday, Xinhua reported.
The tour follows a successful debut of the airplane at June’s Paris Air Show, where the company displayed its largest jet in its “TechLion” livery.
John Slattery, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the single-aisle E195-E2 is “the ideal aircraft” for growing regional businesses and complements existing low-cost and mainline fleets.
Its maximum range is 4,815 km with a full passenger load. Airlines may choose to configure the cabin in two classes with 120 seats or a single class with up to 146 seats, the report said.
In April, the E195-E2 received type certification from the National Civil Aviation Agency of Brazil, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
As one of the leading manufacturers of commercial jets of up to 150 seats, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft since its founding in 1969.
According to AINonline, passenger volume last year within China grew by a 10.9% rate over the year before, thanks largely to the help of favorable government policies to support regional air transport and the emergence of local requirements directed at developing second- and third-tier cities.
“This will create great market potential for aircraft with up to 150 seats,” said Guan Dongyuan, senior vice president of Embraer and president of Embraer China.
“We’re proud to keep pace with the growing industry, leading the regional market here with a nearly 70 percent share. Today, eight airlines operate 105 Embraer commercial aircraft in Greater China and Mongolia, which laid a solid foundation for adding the E2s to the market.”
While featuring similar performance figures to those of the original E195, the E195-E2 carries more payload and burns 25.4% less fuel per seat, AINonline reported. Its maximum range extends 2,600 nautical miles with a full passenger load, or 600 nm more than the E195, and it carries three more rows of seats.