In a recent interview, the CEO of embraer, Arjan Meijer said that the Brazilian manufacturer sees a potential market in China with good eyes. Despite competition from the local manufacturer, COMAC, Embraer will try to gain the trust of Chinese airlines.
In recent years, Embraer has achieved little participation in the Chinese market, and with the new ARJ21 jet it has made it even more difficult. The Brazilian manufacturer carried out a survey, the result indicates that China will need 730 new aircraft with capacity for up to 150 engers in 10 years.
In addition to the ARJ21, there is still another mitigating factor for Embraer to be concerned about, the COMAC C919, which is close to achieving certification. The Embraer CEO believes that the E2 family will be attractive for a market between the two aircraft.
“With China's ambitions to expand into regional cities and neighboring Asian countries, we believe giving Chinese airlines access to E2 offers great opportunities.” Said Arjan Meijer.
Embraer has maintained an office in Beijing, capital of China, since the early 2000s. Soon after, the company held a demonstration tour of its ERJ145 for airlines and the Chinese government.
As a result, Embraer maintained a factory in Heilongjiang, as a result of a partnership with AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China). Despite the investment, only 40 ERJ145 aircraft were manufactured in 7 years, which meant that in 2016 the division was permanently closed.
As part of the incentive to Chinese aviation, the airlines prefer Chinese jets. Although planes such as the Embraer 190 are well positioned in the Chinese market, smaller capacity planes are preferred in the domestic supply of regional jets.
Of the major Chinese airlines, China Southern operated both the ERJ145 and the E190. China Earsten operated only the ERJ145 version, with Chinese jets Air China, China Southern, Chengdu Airlines, China Express are among the main operators of the ARJ21.
