Embraer pitches turboprop concept to US regional airlines

Embraer pitched its next-generation turboprop concept to regional airline executives during a 27 September event, saying such an aircraft could replace the hundreds of old 50-seat jets still operating in US fleets. The Brazilian airframe’s vice-president of aviation in the Americas Mark Neely made his comments during the Regional Airline Association’s annual meeting. Airline executives who also spoke at the event agreed they need a replacement aircraft, though they stopped short of saying Embraer’s turboprop will perfectly fit the bill. Neely describes Embraer’s turboprop concept as “a family of airplanes” that would carry 70 to 90 seats. But, he says, Embraer is considering offering a 50-seat variant. In August, Embraer unveiled what it called a “proposal” to develop a regional aircraft with two aft-mounted props. Neely says the design would have the same “cabin” as Embraer’s E-Jets. The airframer has still not officially launched the development programme. In June, Embraer Commercial Aviation CE Arjan Meijer said the airframer could launch the turboprop in 2022, with service entry in 2027 or 2028. Also speaking during the RAA’s event, Republic Airways CEO Bryan Bedford calls Embraer’s concept an “interesting opportunity”, noting that turboprops are typically more fuel efficient than jets. “The tradeoff, obviously, is speed” and the presence of “big propellers, which Americans seem to hate”, he says.<br/>