SkyWest has ordered 16 new E175 jets for operation in the Delta Air Lines network, adding to the 71 E175 jets SkyWest already operates for Delta. The E175 aircraft will fly exclusively with Delta under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA). The value of the contract, which will be included in Embraer’s third quarter backlog, is US$798.4 million, based on list price.
The 76-seat aircraft will be delivered in Delta’s livery and will have a three-class configuration. Deliveries start in mid-2022.
President and CEO of SkyWest, Chip Childs, said, “SkyWest operates more E175s than any other carrier in the world. With these aircraft, we will have nearly 240 E175s operating with airlines in North America. This month we are proud to reach two million flight hours in the E175. Our customers love the E175, and we have great confidence in and appreciate our partnership with Embraer.”
Embraer’s Mark Neely, VP sales and marketing, the Americas, said, “Our superb partnership with SkyWest continues with this new provision for Delta. The E175 is the backbone of the North American regional market, and as the industry begins to emerge from the pandemic we are seeing growing long-term demand for rightsized aircraft to deliver profitable domestic connectivity. The E175 has been a lifeline for carriers as they are perfectly suited to rebuild routes, add frequencies, and add incremental capacity to meet rebounding domestic demand.”
Meanwhile, LATAM Airlines Group has reaffirmed its fleet as the largest in Latin America following the purchase of 28 new aircraft, in addition to the 42 narrow body aircrafts as part of its modernisation and efficiency programme. This order, which totals 70 aircraft, maintains the LATAM Airlines Group's fleet as the largest in Latin America, with greater range and capacity.
Following this agreement, the group states that it aims to strengthen operations in all its subsidiaries at the regional level with a modern fleet and maximum environmental efficiency. In turn, LATAM seeks to consolidate the longest range of destinations in and from Latin America and the Caribbean, hand in hand with the connectivity agreements with Delta, currently under review by various regulatory authorities in the countries where the group operates.
“The purchase of these highly efficient aircrafts is a sign of the commitment we have made with the transformation towards a carbon neutral LATAM in 2050. At the same time, these 70 aircrafts reinforce the connectivity scale of the region. We will continue working responsibly to exit Chapter 11 with a fleet that accompanies the group's new challenges,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
President of Airbus for Latin America and the Caribbean Arturo Barreira added: "The decision of LATAM Airlines Group to continue incorporating A320neo aircrafts, demonstrates its great commitment to sustainability. The A320neo has the latest generation engines, sharklets, and an innovative cabin, serving as the most comfortable, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly single-aisle aircraft in the world.