KUALA LUMPUR: Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer sees growing opportunities for its smaller single-aisle jets in Asia-Pacific, as airlines seek more efficient ways to expand regional connectivity and complement their larger narrowbody fleets.
Embraer Commercial Aviation head of Asia-Pacific and vice-president Raul Villaron said the region offered significant potential for its E-Jet E2 family, particularly in markets such as India, the Philippines and Indonesia.
“There are about 800 turboprops in Asia, and today there is only one manufacturer producing turboprops, at around 30 aircraft a year,” he said at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ (AAPA) 70th Assembly of Presidents here today.
Villaron said the E2 jets could serve routes traditionally operated by turboprops while complementing larger narrowbody aircraft by opening new markets and increasing flight frequencies.
He said the E195-E2 offered seat costs comparable with larger narrowbody aircraft, while its trip costs were about 25% lower.
“That gives airlines the opportunity to open new markets, increase frequencies and connect destinations that may not be viable with larger aircraft,” he said.
Citing Singapore-based Scoot’s deployment of E2 aircraft to destinations including Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Koh Samui, Villaron said regional jets could help airlines expand their networks beyond major cities.
Embraer Commercial Aviation chief commercial officer Martyn Holmes said the company expected global demand for about 8,500 aircraft with up to 150 seats over the next 20 years.
Asia-Pacific and China are expected to account for about 2,500 of those aircraft, highlighting the region’s growth potential.
To support its regional fleet, Embraer has established an E2 flight simulator in Singapore, with additional facilities in Japan, Australia and China. It also has maintenance support in Singapore and the Philippines, alongside a Singapore parts warehouse holding more than US$120 million worth of inventory, Villaron said.
Embraer’s commercial aviation backlog stood at US$15.8 billion in the third quarter of 2026, while its group-wide backlog reached a record US$35.7 billion.
