Royal Jordanian Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with Embraer to acquire 10 Embraer E2 regional jets over the coming years. 

The agreement includes options for Royal Jordanian to place firm orders for either the E190-E2 or the larger E195-E2, both of which would be deployed on short-haul routes within the Middle East. 

Royal Jordanian Vice Chairman and CEO Samer Majali and Arjan Meijer, Embraer Commercial Aircraft CEO, signed the agreement at the Istanbul Air Show, the airline said Oct. 6.

It is the second fleet update within the space of a few days for Royal Jordanian, which announced a long-awaited fleet-renewal decision on Oct. 3, ordering 20 Airbus A320neos. On the widebody side, the airline continues negotiations with Boeing regarding another 787 order. 

The Oneworld member airline said introducing the new Embraers was part of its aircraft modernization plan that includes both renewing and growing its fleet that operate 2-hr. flights from its Amman Queen Alia International hub to destinations within the Levant, which broadly covers the Middle East’s Mediterranean coastal regions. 

Royal Jordanian said the E2s will replace its E175 and E195 aircraft. The new-generation Embraer jets were found to be the best fit, meeting its financial objectives and network strategy needs, the airline said. 

Royal Jordanian has been operating Embraer aircraft for 15 years. Choosing aircraft from the same OEM reduces the cost of pilot training and means less spare parts provisioning, easing crew scheduling and maintenance expenses, Majali said. The new aircraft should provide up to 25% fuel savings per seat compared to the aircraft they are replacing.

The E195-E2 will offer 12 seats in Royal Jordanian’s “Crown Class” and 108 seats in economy. The smaller E190-E2 will have the same number of Crown Class seats and 80 in economy. All aircraft will be fitted with the latest 4-abreast business-class seats with 53-in. legroom.

Royal Jordanian wants to increase its total fleet size from today’s 24 to over 40 aircraft in the coming 3-5 years.

Aviation Week Network’s Fleet Discovery shows Royal Jordanian operates a fleet of four A319s, seven A320s, two A321s, seven Boeing 787-8, two E175LRs, two E195s and one A310F.

For Embraer, the E2 agreement is its second in the Middle East within the space of a week. On Oct. 6, Omani LCC SalamAir firmed up its MOU with Embraer, first reported just a few days ago, for up to 12 E195-E2 regional jets.

The Muscat-based airline and Brazilian OEM have finalized a firm order for six of the aircraft, plus purchase rights on a further six. The aircraft will be delivered in a two-class, 135-seat layout and will initially be used on domestic flights within Oman, both to four civil airports and to four airstrips serving oilfields. As the fleet of Embraers grows, they will be used to fly to second-tier airports in the region that have not previously been connected to Oman, the airline said.