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Indian start-up airline Paramount Airways
looks set to become the first customer for Embraer E-Jets in India after signing preliminary agreements to lease
two Embraer 170s and three Embraer 175s for operations set to begin later this year.
Paramount will take the two
Embraer 170s directly from Embraer and operate them in a single, all business class configuration with 70 seats. The
Embraer 175s will be leased from GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) and will be configured in a
dual-class arrangement of 11 first class seats with full leg rests and 64 business
class seats. The GECAS aircraft are conversions from an original order for
Embraer 170s.
Both agreements are in the process of final documentation.
“Embraer is excited to have its new E-Jets chosen by Paramount Airways,” said
Embraer President and CEO Maurício Botelho. “The design and economics of the
Embraer 170 and 175 enable Paramount to offer ‘big-jet’ cabin comfort at low
operating costs, through the use of state-of-the art technology in the cockpit, the
engines, and in the operating systems of the aircraft.”
“Paramount is proud to be the first customer of
Embraer E-Jets in India,” said Paramount Airways Managing Director Mr. M. Thiagarajan. “We believe that the new
Embraer 170/175s will blend well with our unique business model, where we have
envisaged to offer unparalleled passenger comfort and services at highly
competitive fares.”
“We are thrilled to have Paramount join our growing roster of airline customers in
India,” said Tejpreet S. (T.P.) Chopra, Vice-President of Marketing for
GECAS. “The Embraer family of aircraft are well-suited for airlines in the country, and we are
pleased to offer a leasing solution that meets our customer’s needs.”
Operating from its base in Coimbatore in southern India, Paramount Airways will be a
full-service airline providing direct flights to a number of secondary cities and also
connecting them to primary metro areas in the country. The airline is promoted by
Paramount Group, a leading textile manufacturer based in Madurai, South India.
The new
Embraer family of four E-Jets was designed to fill the 70- to 110-seat market
gap, offering large-cabin amenities such as wide aisles and seats, generous
baggage stowage and overhead bins, and full-service galleys, while maintaining smaller jet
economics with a high degree of commonality.
The new product line comprises the
Embraer 170, Embraer 175, Embraer 190 and Embraer 195 jets – seating respectively 70, 78, 100 and 110 passengers at
32-inch pitch.
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