The Embraer 190 came one step closer to its anticipated third
quarter 2005 certification last week when the Brazil-based regional
jet manufacturer completed the first fuselage of the 98- to 108-passenger
jet. The operation involved integrating two fuselage plugs to
the generic central, nose and tail sections of the 170/190 family.
The company expects to complete certification of the 170 next
month and the 175, which completed its maiden flight on June 14,
in the second quarter of 2004.
The Embraer 190 features a 2,200 nmi range with four-abreast "double-bubble"
cabin and options for single- or two-class seating. As of June
30, Embraer reported 244 firm orders and 309 options for the 70-
to 110-seat 170/190 family from the likes of SWISS, Alitalia,
GECAS, US Airways and JetBlue.
