Embraer marked the delivery of the 2,000th aircraft from its E-Jet family on September 2, placing the program among the three most successful commercial jet programs in the world. The milestone aircraft, an Embraer E195-E2, was delivered to Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aéreas, one of the world’s largest E-Jet operators.

The delivery carries additional significance for Azul, as the aircraft is also the airline’s 50th next-generation E2. Azul was the launch customer for the E195-E2 and received the first aircraft of the type in 2019.

The E-Jet family entered commercial service in 2004. Over the past two decades, aircraft from the family have joined the fleets of more than 90 airlines in over 60 countries. According to Embraer, the global E-Jet fleet has accumulated approximately 48 million flight hours and carried more than 2.85 billion passengers.

The program enabled Embraer to expand beyond its traditional regional aircraft market and establish a strong position in the small narrowbody segment. E-Jets are used on regional services as well as routes where the capacity of larger narrowbody aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families, is either unnecessary or economically unjustified.

“The delivery of the 2,000th E-Jet is an extraordinary milestone for Embraer and for the global air transport industry. The E-Jets family has played a vital role in connecting communities, opening new markets and creating sustainable growth opportunities for airlines,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation.

Azul has operated more than 140 E-Jets since launching operations in 2008. The airline’s first commercial flight was operated on December 15 of that year by an Embraer E190 registered PR-AZL. Embraer aircraft subsequently became an important part of Azul’s network development, particularly on routes linking smaller cities with Brazil’s main aviation hubs.

Azul CEO John Rodgerson said the E-Jet family had played a fundamental role in the airline’s development and the expansion of air connectivity across Brazil. He described the delivery of the 2,000th E-Jet, which is also the 50th E2 in Azul’s fleet, as confirmation of the long-standing partnership between the two Brazilian companies.

The first generation of the E-Jet family comprises the E170, E175, E190 and E195, while the current E2 generation includes the E190-E2 and E195-E2. The new generation introduced Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines, aerodynamic improvements, a redesigned wing and reduced fuel consumption compared with the previous models.

The E195-E2, the largest member of the family, is positioned between traditional regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft. Depending on the cabin configuration, it can accommodate up to 146 passengers while retaining the family’s characteristic 2-2 seating arrangement without middle seats.

Since its establishment in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft across the commercial, executive, defence and agricultural aviation segments. Reaching the milestone of 2,000 E-Jet deliveries confirms the long-term success of a program that has become one of the Brazilian manufacturer’s most important products over the past two decades.