Conversion of three options raises Copa’s total firm order to 15 E-Jets São José dos Campos, April 20, 2006 - Copa Airlines has exercised three EMBRAER 190 options, increasing to 15 the number of firm E-Jets in its orderbook – two of which already delivered, and still has 15 options. All of Copa’s EMBRAER 190s are Advanced Range (AR) versions, giving the airline increased range and operating flexibility. Delivery of the three new aircraft is scheduled for 2007 and 2008.

Copa has already started scheduled passenger service with two EMBRAER 190s, operating from its Hub of the Americas at Panama City. The airplanes are allowing Copa to better match capacity with demand in lower density markets that can be more efficiently served by aircraft up to 100 seats.

“Strengthening our Hub of the Americas is a key component of our business strategy and the EMBRAER 190 is helping us advance it,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “We are also very satisfied with the fleet’s performance and are steadily increasing utilization to maximize flight connection potential at our Panama hub.”

Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer Executive Vice-President, Airline Market, praised Copa’s commercial perspective. “Copa is one of the leading companies in the Latin American market and the EMBRAER 190 will contribute to the growth of its network. Markets that are currently uneconomical to serve with larger aircraft will now be viable with the airline’s E-Jets.”

With this latest announcement, Embraer E-Jets have been ordered by or are operating for 17 airlines in 15 countries, having attracted 65 firm orders and options in Latin America. As of March 31, 2006, the E-Jets orderbook totaled 452 firm orders and 442 options.

Source: Embraer
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