Embraer Tuesday added 84 firm regional-jet orders to Monday's 25 to tally a total of 109 so far for Farnborough '98, with 100 additional options.

American Eagle ordered 75 37-seat ERJ135s valued at US$2 billion plus 75 options, the largest 135 order to date. They will complement the carrier's growing fleet of ERJ145 50-seaters, of which it now has 12 of 42.

Luxair of Luxembourg ordered five ERJ145s to add to its fleet of two, and National Jet Services of Australia placed an order for four 145s.

The new orders bring Embraer's current backlog to more than US$4 billion, including 145 firm orders for the ERJ135 plus 194 options, and 207 firm orders for the 145 plus 219 options.

American Eagle's decision to take the 135 "strongly endorses the effectiveness of our joint operations to produce both the ERJ135 and ERJ145," said Embraer CEO Mauricio Botelho. "In addition to the outstanding performance of each of these aircraft individually, they are truly both profit makers."

Continental Express president David Siegel on Monday announced the exercising of an option for an addition 25 ERJ145s, bringing hard orders to 75 and leaving 125 options in place. Continental Express also has 25 ERJ135s on order.

By Arnold Lewis