Embraer seeks 200 jet orders to make in India

New Delhi: Getting "firm orders for 200 plus" aircraft from Indian carriers is the key to Embraer setting up a final assembly line (FAL) in the country for commercial fixed-wing aircraft. And if hitting the double century takes a while, a start could be made with a "completion centre" where ordered aircraft will fly in from Brazil; be painted, fitted with seats and other interior work before being delivered to local customers.

In India for the first time after the Brazilian aerospace major signed an MoU with Adani Group last month to set up a FAL for its popular regional jets, Embraer president & CEO Francisco Gomes Neto shared the details for his plans for the country.

"Being the fastest growing aviation market globally, a big economy, expanding airport network and PM Modi's successful UDAN scheme giving a filip to regional flights, India will need at least 500 regional jets in coming years. As far as Embraer goes, we need a firm order of 200 jets for the FAL here to be viable and feasible. The same can come up in 24 months of starting work. So if we get the orders this year, the FAL will be ready to roll out jets in 2028," Francisco Gomes Neto told TOI.

In his pursuit for orders, he will be meeting decision-makers at leading Indian aviation players including Tata Group's Air India Friday. A meeting with IndiGo is on the cards in coming days. In India, Embraer is looking at assembling its 76-88 seater E175 regional jet which are used for short to medium-haul flights. There are at present eight E175 with Star Air and one in Reliance Industries fleet. Partner Adani group is scouting for sites, with Dholera in Gujarat being the frontrunner.

"For the last one-and-a-half years we are working on having a supplier base in India to buy parts for the jets coming out of our Brazilian FAL. Most recently, we have signed an MoU with Hindalco to identify possibilities in aerospace grade aluminium raw material manufacturing to strengthen our commitment to 'make in India'. As of now we have over 15 supply chain partners in India," said Gomes Neto, who has been heading Embraer since May 2019.

At present Embraer has FALs only in Brazil (for defence and commercial jets) and the US (for business jets). Apart from them, it manufactures some parts in Portugal. "We are coming to India primarily to serve the Indian market. Once we are here (meaning the FAL is set up), we will look to meet the requirement of nearby markets from India. Expanding production capacity is in our interest and given India's potential, expecting firm orders for 200 jets is very reasonable," he said. The company is planning the entire ecosystem in India, including an maintenance, repair and overhaul, pilot training and full flight simulator.

Embraer has taken the same route in the defence space too. It plans to establish a MRO capability in India for the C-390 Millennium "upon selection in the Indian Air Force's medium transport aircraft" programme.