Embraer sells ten aircraft to Chinese CLC
Folha de S. Paulo
Embraer entered into a contract for the sale of ten 190 Embraer jets to the Chinese aircraft financing and lease company CLC (CDB Leasing co.). The jets will be operated by China Southern, China's largest airline and the third largest in the world. The first delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2011.
It is the first sale of Embraer to China since July 2008 when Henan Airlines (former Kunpeng), acquired five 190 models. One of those jets fell in Northern China in August 2010, the first accident with deaths involving a 190. It is also the first operation of Embraer with CLC, institution controlled by the China Development Bank.
China Southern is already a client of Embraer since 2004. The company operates six regional ERJ-145 jet models (for up to 50 passengers). With the new order, the number of firm orders of the 190 Embraer aircraft increases to 29 to be delivered in China in the coming years. The 190 will be made in Brazil. The Embraer plant in China, where the ERJ-145 aircrafts are made, continues with its uncertain future.
The last order of the Chinese plant must come out of the production line until April. Embraer is trying to negotiate with the Chinese Government, its partner by means of the Avic, a license to produce the 190 in the country.
However, should the Chinese Government fail to give his approval, with no new orders, the plant will be shutdown. "The negotiations with the Chinese Government continue", says Carlos Eduardo Camargo, Foreign Communications Officer of Embraer.