A $764 million firm order for 15 Embraer E175 and two E190 jets has been made by KLM’s regional subsidiary KLM Cityhopper.
The contract for the 17 aircraft also includes an option for 17 additional jets for KLM Cityhopper or Air France regional arm HOP!
The deal for the so-called ‘E-Jets’ is valued at $1.5 billion, if all options are exercised.
The new aircraft will join 28 E190s already flying with KLM Cityhopper, to replace 19 Fokker F70s being phased out by the carrier.
The first E190 is due to be delivered by the end of the year, with the E175s arriving from the first quarter of 2016.
The Air France/KLM group will have 71 E-Jets, the largest E-Jet fleet in Europe, when all deliveries have been completed.
KLM president and chief executive, Pieter Elbers, said: “Purchasing these 17 Embraers and taking out an option to order an additional 17 in the future, represents a giant stride for KLM in terms of fleet renewal.
“KLM continues to invest in its fleet and product in order to offer passengers the best, as well as reaffirming KLM and KLM Cityhopper’s commitment to our customers.”
Embraer Commercial Aviation president and chief executive, Paulo Cesar Silva, said: “KLM Cityhopper’s decision to acquire more E-Jets is a tremendous endorsement and confirmation that the E-Jets are the most efficient, comfortable and the lowest operating cost aircraft in the segment from 80 to 110 passengers.”