KUALA LUMPUR: Rapid digitisation and the trend towards regionalisation could drive aircraft demand differently in a post pandemic world, according to Brazil's aerospace giant Embraer S.A.
Its president and chief executive officer (commercial aviation business unit) Arjan Meijer said airlines would be on the verge to satisfy the needs of their time-pressed customers, prioritising ease of access to a comprehensive network of frequent flights.
"We believe airlines will be looking at connecting secondary and tertiary airports to grow its connectivity. The sub-150 seat segment of aircraft will help airlines climb out of the crisis and go after-profit by right-sizing their aircraft for the market," he told the New Straits Times in an interview recently.
Meijer said the move to green was gaining momentum and as the importance of sustainability was growing, making airlines to gravitate towards aircraft that consume less fuel and emit less emission.
He said the Embraer's E195-E2 jet is the most sustainable single-aisle aircraft in the industry.
"We always try to bring the best technology to the market and the E2 is a great example, an aircraft designed with sustainability in mind, that can contribute to a greener world."
As part of Embraer's ESG efforts to make aviation greener, Meijer said Embraer aspired to constantly improve its products with technical improvement to lower the fuel burn and emissions.
It is part of Embraer's larger commitment to carbon neutral operations by 2040.
The company is also aiming for net-zero carbon aviation by 2050.
"Currently, our products (E2) can use a fuel blend of up to 50:50 sustainable fuel and conventional fuel to fly. We plan to have the aircraft certified for 100 per cent sustainable fuel for the E2 jet by 2030. We also aim to build a fully 100 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) powered aircraft."
Meanwhile, he said Embraer was developing a new turboprop for the market.
It will be available by 2027 with the same interior of the E2 jet.
"This aircraft will be 100 per cent SAF and expected to enter into service by 2027."
Embraer has also undertaken research and development for the lower segment of up to 50 seat passenger aircraft (concept).
"Two weeks ago, we announced the Energia family – featuring four new concepts of aircraft in the 50 seat-segment. It is designed using renewable energy propulsion technologies - electric, hydrogen fuel cell, dual fuel gas turbine, and hybrid-electric."
He said Embraer was hopeful to transfer the new concept of aircraft into a project in the next few years, offering up to 50 seats segment.
"Hopefully with this new technology, we can apply it in the turboprop which will have 70-90 seats and the E2."
Embraer, he said, saw a lot of capabilities in Malaysia and was in talks with potential partners to expand its supply chain network for existing and new products.
He said industrial partnership could be in areas of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training/education, converging the E2 jet passenger to freighter, while increasing its supply chain sourcing (locally produced aircraft parts and components).
"We are looking across the board what we could do in Malaysia but have yet to make a decision. Embraer's turboprop is a new platform that we are looking at and we may find opportunity in the supply chain in Malaysia," he added.
Head of commercial aviation for Embraer in Asia Pacific Raul Villaron said Embraer would want to leverage on the 12th Malaysia Plan and increase its presence in Malaysia with broader partnership with all stakeholders in the aerospace sector.
"However, we are still in discussion but today, a part of the engines on Embraer's E2 family of aircraft is being manufactured in Malaysia," he added.
