By Kamal Shah
With fifty of its aircraft already flying Indian skies, Embraer has seen it as the right time to recognize future potential for deeper ties. Setting up a wholly owned subsidiary and corporate office in New Delhi is the primary step in that direction. Arjan Meijer, President & CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, sees it as a concrete move in the long-term strategy towards India and its rapidly evolving commercial aviation landscape. The decision, coming as it does as Indian states look to encourage new carriers and REGIONALS are a national priority, gives Embraer traction for tomorrow…starting today.
Q. Given Embraer’s recent establishment of a fully-fledged office in India, could you elaborate on the primary objectives the company seeks to achieve through this decision? Additionally, how does this move align with Embraer’s broader strategic vision for strengthening its presence and operations in the Indian market?
A. There are significant opportunities for Embraer across India. In the commercial sector, for example, we see the potential for 300 aircraft over the next 10 years in the segment of up to 150 seats in India. There are currently around 50 aircraft across 11 aircraft types in India – A good basis on which to build, reflecting an affinity for Embraer and the performance and reliability synonymous with our aircraft.
Setting up a wholly owned subsidiary and corporate office in New Delhi marks a decisive step in Embraer’s long-term strategy for India. We see significant potential for collaboration with India’s rapidly evolving commercial aviation landscape, and we aim to strengthen our local foundation to drive growth across commercial aviation, as well as Embraer’s business in defense, business aviation, services & support, and urban air mobility.
Embraer is establishing on-ground teams in procurement, supply chain, engineering, and corporate functions and we are investing in deeper integration with India’s aerospace & defence ecosystem, supporting the ‘Make in India’ vision through local capability building and partnerships.
Ultimately, this move underscores Embraer’s commitment to being a long-term stakeholder in India’s aviation future, one that is invested in local capability, innovation, and long-term collaboration.
Q. India’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights as the third-largest market in the world! How does Embraer view and plan to seize the exciting opportunities in commercial aviation?
A. Embraer is the market leader in commercial jets up to 150 seats, and the E-Jets E2 family, the world’s quietest and most fuel-efficient single-aisle jet, has been growing its operator base across the globe.
In July, we were delighted to announce a record order of 55 Embraer aircraft from Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). This milestone agreement supports SAS’s long-term fleet renewal strategy, which focuses on increasing efficiency, reducing emissions, and unlocking future growth opportunities from its global hub in Copenhagen, as well as across its Scandinavian and international network.
The E-Jets’ enduring versatility is validated by the 80 airlines currently operating the type, including low-cost, regional, and mainline carriers, and its presence on every continent. Operators include all the leading airlines in the United States, KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Scoot and many more. In addition, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Virgin Australia are two prominent airlines in the Asia Pacific that have ordered the E2 in the past year.
What does this mean for India?
We believe that the E-Jets family of small narrow-body aircraft and regional aircraft will bring significant benefits to India’s air connectivity by unlocking opportunities in tier two and tier three cities and contributing to India’s aspirations of becoming a leading global aviation hub.
As proven with Star Air – an all-Embraer operator, the E-Jets have transformed and enhanced regional connectivity.
We foresee a potential for 300 aircraft over the next 10 years in the segment of up to 150 seats in India.
Q. Embraer jets have made impressive strides in India with Star Air, especially in connecting smaller cities and boosting regional connectivity. With growing interest from airlines, are there any exciting new plans or upcoming partnerships that could further elevate Embraer Commercial Aviation’s presence in India?
A. We applaud Star Air and the success of their airline and we are fully supportive of them as they grow their fleet. The airline currently operates a fleet of five ERJ145s and three Embraer E175s, which have delivered greater flexibility and efficiency to their network as they grow their operations across India.
We are in discussions with various airlines in India about how the E-Jets family of aircraft can enhance their operations.
Take the E2 as an example, a platform that has the maturity of the previous generation E-Jet built in, and with a flying time of up to six hours, makes the E190-E2 and E195-E2 ideally suited for domestic and regional operations. The aircraft’s combination of optimized capacity and low seat and trip costs makes it a compelling platform to connect Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities in India, which will be the primary drivers of growth over the coming years.
Q. Considering Embraer’s plans to establish a manufacturing unit in India amidst intense competition from industry leaders like Airbus and Boeing, how could this move impact Embraer’s capability to enhance its presence in the Indian domestic market?
A. Embraer is different. From our signature two-by-two seating, meaning no one has to endure the dreaded middle seat, to our engineering and innovation-based approach that has allowed us to certify 20 aircraft in the last 20 years – on time and budget – no other aerospace company comes close to this.
As part of our expansion in India, we are establishing on-ground teams in procurement, supply chain, engineering, and corporate functions. We are investing in deeper integration with India’s aerospace ecosystem, supporting the ‘Make in India’ vision through local capability building and partnerships.
The key advantage lies in creating local value through jobs, technology transfer, and supply chain development, something we’ve successfully done in other countries. Engineering excellence is in our DNA.
The E2 is the most advanced, quietest, and most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft available today, but our engineering team is constantly innovating, even beyond the main aircraft programs. One example is the introduction of the world’s first automatic takeoff system, the Embraer Enhanced Takeoff System (E2TS), which is currently under certification. No other OEM is able to offer this capability.
If a large order is secured for our E-Jets, we are ready to explore final assembly operations here. Such a move would require close coordination with Indian authorities and potential partners to ensure the right policy, infrastructure, and commercial conditions are in place.
Q. What specifically is the race for innovation in the industry today?
A. The aviation industry is currently in a dynamic phase of innovation, driven by the urgent need to address environmental concerns and achieve sustainability. By investing in sustainable aviation fuels, zero-emission technology, advanced air traffic management, and lightweight materials, Embraer aims to contribute to achieving significant reductions in carbon emissions and move toward a more sustainable future.
