Embraer E195-E2 “Tech Lion” jet is on tour in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The demonstration aircraft had passed through Vietnam and Papua New Guinea, where it was introduced to carrier Air Niugini this week.
The next destination for the largest jet in the E2 family is Avolon 2023, the Australian International Airshow, which starts on February 28.
Embraer stated that this will be the first time that the E195-E2 is exhibited at the defense aerospace exhibition, which takes place at the small airport of Avolon, near Melbourne, South Australia.
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Along with the Phenom 300E and Phenom 100V business jets, the Brazilian planes will only be on static display, informed the manufacturer.
“Australia is home to Embraer’s diverse range of business jets and commercial aircraft and thanks to our customers and partners, our aircraft are synonymous with performance, innovation and reliability.” said Francisco Gomes Neto, CEO of Embraer. “We are proud to have on display the TechLion E195-E2, the Phenom 100EV and the Praetor 300E at the Show.”
Embraer’s move into the Australian market comes after the first-generation E190 jet fleet grew in the country, due to purchases of used aircraft made by Alliance Aviation, a company that provides charter and wet-lease services.
One of the Alliance’s customers is Qantas, which uses them in its regional QantasLink. However, Australia’s biggest carrier ended up striking a major deal with Airbus to renew its fleet, including the A220, rival of the E195-E2, which competed for the order.
Due to its large territorial area, Australia is a potential market for the E2, which offer good range and a very low operating cost, in addition to having a passenger capacity that makes routes with less demand viable in direct connections.
Missing C-390
Missing from the Embraer stand will be the C-390 Millennium. The Brazilian airlifter jet has been a constant presence at international events, but not at Avolon 2023.
One possible explanation is the close ties that Australia’s armed forces have with the United States. Recently, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) decided to select the C-130J to renew its fleet of military freighters in a competition that raised suspicions in the country’s parliament.
While it said it had considered not only the Super Hercules but also the C-390, C-2 and A400M, the RAAF did not provide convincing arguments for its decision, according to lawmakers.
