SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Embraer released the figures on its aircraft deliveries and order book, today, updated to the end of the third quarter of 2008 (3Q08). Based on the first three quarters of 2008, when it delivered 45, 52, and 48 jets, respectively, Embraer shows a steadier production process, which represents a 34% increase over the same period in 2007 (when the Company delivered 108 jets). Therefore, Embraer reaffirms its estimate of delivering 195 to 200 aircraft in 2008, plus ten to 15 Phenom 100s.
In 3Q08, Embraer delivered 37 jets to the commercial aviation market, nine executive jets, and two aircraft to the defense segment and government segment, as detailed in the following table:
The Company's firm order backlog came to US$ 21.6 billion in 3Q08, an increase of 4.3 per cent over the previous quarter. On September 30, 2008, Embraer's order book for Commercial Aviation, according to product, stood as follows:
Note: Deliveries and firm order backlog include orders for the Defense and Government segment placed by State-run airlines (Satena and TAME).
In the third quarter, Embraer announced 13 new commercial aircraft sales, including twelve EMBRAER 190s (five to China's Kun Peng, five to Austria's NIKI, and two to LAN, of Mozambique), and one EMBRAER 195 to Montenegro Airlines. Moreover, Embraer unveiled 17 EMBRAER 190 sales that were included in the backlog as "undisclosed customer": 12 for Aeromexico and another five to NAS Aviation. The list of new operators was joined by China's Kun Peng, TACA Airlines from El Salvador, Petroecuador, and Virgin Nigeria. Furthermore, in line with contract clauses, US Airways did not confirm five firm orders, which then became purchase options.
Three ERJ 145 aircraft were not delivered to Grand China Express, a company of the HNA Group from China, due to a reduction in the growth of its fleet, and new delivery dates and quantities are now being negotiated. The flow of deliveries for EMBRAER 190 aircraft to the same customer continues unaltered.
New executive jet orders in the period included two Legacy 600s to K2 SmartJets, one Lineage 1000 to Royal Jet (representing the Al Habtoor Group, from the United Arab Emirates), and three Phenom 300s to Ireland's JetBird. The number of firm orders for the Phenom family surpassed 800 aircraft, and the Phenom 100 continues on schedule with its program for being certified in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In the Defense and Government segment, Embraer announced contracts for three EMB 145 AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) jets for the Indian Government, and 12 Super Tucano aircraft to the Chilean Air Force.
The Company's progress in implementing lean manufacturing processes throughout all of its divisions continues to contribute towards establishing a more constant production cadence and meeting delivery commitments, making it possible to keep aircraft coming off the line and to achieve more solid financial planning and a more stable cash flow.
This document may contain projections, statements and estimates regarding circumstances or events yet to take place. Those projections and estimates are based largely on current expectations, forecasts on future events and financial tendencies that affect Embraer's businesses. Those estimates are subject to risks, uncertainties and suppositions that include, among others: general economic, political and trade conditions in Brazil and in those markets where Embraer does business; expectations on industry trends; the Company's investment plans; its capacity to develop and deliver products on the dates previously agreed upon, and existing and future governmental regulations. The words "believe", "may", "is able", "will be able", "intend", "continue", "anticipate", "expect" and other similar terms are supposed to identify potentialities. Embraer does not feel compelled to publish updates nor to revise any estimates due to new information, future events or any other facts. In view of the inherent risks and uncertainties, such estimates, events and circumstances may not take place. The actual results can therefore differ substantially from those previously published as Embraer expectations.
