Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer's E190-E2 commercial jet, which is on a tour around the region, made its landing in Dhaka on Wednesday.
This is for the first time in Bangladesh that any aircraft manufacturer came for marketing with an aircraft demo. US-Bangla Airlines facilitated the demonstration of the aircraft in Bangladesh.
Sporting a shark livery to represent the aircraft's 'profit hunter' status, the aircraft offered Embraer's guests a closer look at the world's quietest, cleanest and most efficient new-generation single-aisle aircraft during a one hour demonstration on Dhaka-Chattogram-Barisal-Dhaka route on Thursday.
Embraer is a global company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defence and security. It is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats, the company claimed.
"The E190-E2 offers airlines the benefit of lower operating costs and is capable of achieving similar costs per seat of larger re-engined narrow-body aircraft, with significantly lower costs per trip. We have also received a lot of positive feedback about the aircraft performance, low fuel consumption, sleek and modern interior and low cabin noise," said Cesar Pereira, Asia Pacific Vice President, Embraer Commercial Aviation.
Embraer forecasts a demand for 10,550 new aircraft with up to 150 seats worldwide, worth US$ 600 billion, over the next 20 years, more than 3,000 of which will originate from the Asia Pacific region, including China.
Mr Cesar Pereira also claimed that the E-Jets E2 is the most efficient family of aircraft in the single-aisle market burning up to 10 per cent less fuel than its direct competitor. The E190-E2 brings also more flexibility with a maximum range of up to 5,300 km or about 1,000 km longer than the first-generation E190.
With a whole new interior, passenger can bring one carry-on luggage, enjoy mood lighting. It means 104 passengers for 104 seats can carry 104 luggage on the overhead cabin.
"We are proud to bring this aircraft to the region for the second time to show the amazing capabilities of the E190-E2," said Mr Pereira.
Since its launching in 2013, 1500 fourth generation E190-E2 aircraft were delivered while 207 were delivered in 2018.
The aircraft costs US$ 53 million which Mr Pereira also claimed that the aircraft will be 309 per cent cheaper compared to Boeing 737-800 model.
The company has 100 customers from all over the world operating the ERJ and the E-Jet families of aircraft.
Potential customers of various Bangladeshi airlines companies told the FE that the aircraft has very good features with low noise, advanced technology and all others. But it requires lot of calculation to decide whether this is a feasible aircraft for the Bangladeshi passengers or not.
Most of the domestic flights are less than one hour with the Cox's Bazar one the maximum 50 minutes. But commercial operation by E-190-E2 will be feasible for the destinations which takes about one and half hour at least.
It is feasible for the business class passengers to Guangzhou, Bangkok, HongKong, Singapore, Malaysia and medical tourists to Bangkok and Chennai who carry less baggage. It is not for the expatriate workers who carry lots of baggage. The aircraft is also not viable for a long distance flight like Jeddah or Muscat due to weight.
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