Malaysia has a potential demand of over 150 new aircraft and over 100 new routes as per the latest Embraer report. The demand for 150 aircraft is for aircraft with a seating capacity of under 150 seats to complement the larger aircraft segment dominant in the region. Embraer also forecasts how Embraer regional jets belonging to E2 family can enable the opening of over 100 new routes within Malaysia and the region.
Raul Villaron, Asia Pacific Vice-President for Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “As travel demand recovers, we see unique opportunities for Malaysia to enhance its connectivity domestically and regionally. However, it must also make business sense for airlines. Airlines are facing tough challenges such as higher fuel prices and an increasingly competitive operating environment which makes it imperative to right-size aircraft capacity to passengers.”
Regional aircraft of under 150 seating capacity will enhance the viability of establishing new routes or increasing the frequency of existing routes, says Embraer. This includes the boosting of direct connectivity within Peninsula Malaysia, along with intercity connectivity in Peninsula Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak, notes the airframe manufacturer.
The report stresses the importance of Embraer’s E-Jets E2 that enables airlines to grow their route network, and to drive passenger traffic to its hubs. Embraer claims that the E2 has “up to 25% reduced trip cost” than a new generation narrowbody aircraft commonly seen in Malaysia while maintaining seat cost parity, and this will improve the competitiveness of an airline.
The report highlights the E195-E2’s low operating costs, superior performance and low fuel and noise emissions, which the company maintains can add value to Malaysia’s aviation landscape.
