Montenegro Airlines places order for new Embraer jet

On Tuesday, Embraer announced the sale of the first Embraer 195 jet to Montenegro Airlines. The agreement with the national airline of Montenegro also includes purchase rights for two more aircraft of the same model. Montenegro Airlines already operates an Embraer 195 under a leasing contract. The value of the deal, at list price, is US$39.5 million, and could total US$118.5 million, if all of the purchase rights are exercised. The Embraer 195 for Montenegro Airlines will comfortably seat 116 passengers in a single-class layout, and delivery is expected in 2009. The company plans to use the new airplane for key markets in Europe, including routes to cities like London and Moscow.

Last June, Embraer delivered the first E195 jet to Montenegro Airlines through a leasing operation carried out by GE Commercial Aviation Services. This leasing contract includes another aircraft of the same model for delivery next year that will increase the airline's fleet to three Embraer 195s by mid 2009. Andrija Lompar, the Minister of Transport, maritime affairs and telecommunications of the Republic of Montenegro, stated, "Next year, with three new Embraer E-Jets in the fleet of this national airline, it will continue the expected passenger growth trend, entering new markets and introducing more destinations, thus making a quality contribution to economic development". The Embraer 195 is the largest and newest aircraft of the modern four- member Embraer 170/190 family of E-Jets, and entered revenue service in September 2006. In June 2008, the E-Jets had logged 847 firm orders and 827 options. Today, over 400 aircraft in operation have surpassed 1.5 million flight hours.