Dubai Airshow: Embraer sells five 175s to Oman Air

Embraer signed a contract today with Oman Air for the sale of five Embraer 175 aircraft. This is the first time that Embraer has sold the aircraft in the Gulf area.

Four of the aircraft will be operated by the airline and one will serve with the Royal Omani Police.

The order for the first five aircraft is worth $177.5m at list price and first delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2011. Deliveries are expected to continue until 2013.

Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer president and CEO said: “Its a privilege to have our planes chosen by Oman Air – I am pleased that we can help them with their expansion.”

Peter Hill, Oman Air's CEO, said: “We will deploy the aircraft on our existing and new routes. Four new regional airports are being built in Oman and the 175 is a good fit between our ATRs and 737s.

“The aircraft will also supplement our off-peak routes to Dubai and with our plans to extend local services. We will we able to fly more frequently, more effectively and more profitably.”

The aircraft will be split into a 12 business class seat /60 economy class seat configuration, both with back-seat IFE.

Above: Oman Air CEO Peter Hill (centre) is overjoyed with his purchase of the Embraer 175.