Brazilian planemaker Embraer anticipates a future role for its E2 regional jet family in China, though company executives say it will take time before the aircraft are widely adopted there.
Speaking at a global aviation gathering in Rio de Janeiro, Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer said the company maintains a team in Beijing that is engaged in day-to-day work in the country. "We have a dedicated team in Beijing, they’re day-to-day working in China," he said.
Meijer described the E2 family as "the ideal complement to the indigenous products of China," adding that the two models in question - the E190-E2 and the E195-E2 - would slot between China’s smaller C909 and the larger C919. According to Meijer, that positioning would give airlines an option to link cities across the country with greater flexibility.
Embraer is currently in discussions with potential Chinese customers, the CEO said, and the E2 lineup has secured certification from local authorities. Nonetheless, Meijer cautioned that bringing the jets into broader operation in China will require patience. "China has its own challenges. So we’re in discussions. We do believe we will find a moment to bring the E2 into China, but we’ll have to give that some time. We’re not there yet," he said.
The company has faced difficulties regaining commercial traction in China since the 2016 closure of an executive jet joint venture in Harbin. In 2023, Embraer announced a deal to convert passenger aircraft into freighters in Lanzhou - a move that fell short of industry expectations for a full airline sale.
Separately, Meijer addressed questions about whether Embraer would develop a larger airliner. Despite customer interest in a bigger model, the company is not prepared to pursue such a project at this time. Meijer said Embraer remains focused on its core market of jets seating up to about 150 passengers, where it competes with Airbus’ A220 family while remaining below the A320 and 737 families in capacity.
"Our customers are asking for a bigger aircraft, it’s no secret. But that’s such a big decision for a company like Embraer. We’re not there. We are currently very satisfied with the segment up to 150 seats," Meijer said.
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Market context and outlook
Embraer’s strategy in China hinges on positioning the E2 family as a complement to domestically produced models rather than a direct competitor. With local certification already in place, discussions with potential customers are ongoing, but the company acknowledges that the timeline to secure sales and broader operations remains uncertain.