Embraer sees new E195 first flight sooner than expected

Embraer is on track to fly its next-generation E195-E2 commercial jet by June after an earlier-than-expected rollout of its first prototype Tuesday, a senior executive at the planemaker said. Embraer's original timeline for the aircraft had projected a rollout in the first half of 2017 and first flight in the second half of the year, John Slattery, the company's commercial aviation chief, said. "Given our current trajectory ... I would be surprised if it took until the second half of this year to fly the prototype," he said before the rollout. "I do expect we'll fly ahead of schedule." The swift development of Embraer's re-engined regional jet line-up, which Slattery said was on budget and in-line with performance specifications, has bolstered hopes for new sales in the company's biggest division. <br/>