New Delhi: Turboprop aircraft flown by Indian carriers such as SpiceJetBSE -1.15 % and JetLite on regional routes are obsolete, said Brazilian planemaker Embraer Commercial Aviation, which is trying to pitch its next-generation E2 jets as a more cost-effective alternative.
Embraer recently signed a deal with the newly-formed Air Costa to sell 50 planes at a list price of $2.94 billion and with an option to sell 50 more. "There was a time when there was a clear need for smaller planes like the turboprop planes, but I think the Indian market has outgrown the need for such planes," said Mark Dunnachie, vicepresident, Asia-Pacific, Embraer Commercial Aviation. The E2 will also score over bigger jets, he said.
"The E195-E2 jets will be at least 20% cheaper in terms of seat mile costs as compared to the Boeing 737 or the Airbus A320," said Dunnachie. "Even the cost of operating an E175-E2 will be cheaper per seat mile as compared to turbo-propeller aircraft." Airlines in India have typically opted for turboprop aircraft such as the French-made ATR-72 and ATR-42 for regional connectivity. These are used by JetLite and Air India, while SpiceJet has opted for Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
25/03/14 Debabrata Das/Economic Times
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Embraer recently signed a deal with the newly-formed Air Costa to sell 50 planes at a list price of $2.94 billion and with an option to sell 50 more. "There was a time when there was a clear need for smaller planes like the turboprop planes, but I think the Indian market has outgrown the need for such planes," said Mark Dunnachie, vicepresident, Asia-Pacific, Embraer Commercial Aviation. The E2 will also score over bigger jets, he said.
"The E195-E2 jets will be at least 20% cheaper in terms of seat mile costs as compared to the Boeing 737 or the Airbus A320," said Dunnachie. "Even the cost of operating an E175-E2 will be cheaper per seat mile as compared to turbo-propeller aircraft." Airlines in India have typically opted for turboprop aircraft such as the French-made ATR-72 and ATR-42 for regional connectivity. These are used by JetLite and Air India, while SpiceJet has opted for Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
25/03/14 Debabrata Das/Economic Times
