afrol News, 16 November - A Nigerian airline, Virgin Nigeria has placed an order for eight Embraer 170 and two Embraer 190 advanced range aircraft.

The deal also includes options for another six Embraer 190 and purchase rights for eight Embraer 190 or 195 jets.

The value of the firm order, at list price, is US $301 million, based on January 2007 economic conditions, and could come to US$ 800 million, if all six Embraer 190 options and purchase rights for eight Embraer 195 are confirmed.

"Virgin Nigeria's choice of the Embraer 170 and 190 is a strategic breakthrough in this promising sub-Saharan African market," Emraer Executive Vice President of Airline Market, Mauro Kern, concurred.

"We are extremely pleased by Virgin Nigeria's decision to select Embraer aircraft and are sure that our E-Jets will provide the airline with the right tools for increased success. Our aircraft will help take Virgin Nigeria to new heights with its unparalleled combination of right capacity, sound performance, outstanding passenger comfort, and low operating costs."

The first delivery to Virgin Nigeria is scheduled for September 2008. The Nigerian airline intends to deploy the Embraer 170 on its growing domestic network, rightsizing some of the routes currently operated by older narrowbody jets and replacing turboprops on its strategic petroleum routes such as Lagos-Port Harcourt, mainly due to the outstanding airfield performance of the aircraft.

It will deploy Embraer 190 in its regional and international markets. With their advanced range capabilities, common type rating, and training and parts commonality, both aircraft will bring more flexibility to the entire network.

"These new E-Jets from Embraer will greatly enhance our ability to serve the corporate market, enabling us to offer our passengers superior standards and to match seat capacity and frequency to passenger demand network-wide," Virgin Nigeria CEO, Conrad Clifford, said.

"We believe the Embraer E-Jets will give us the edge over the competition, as well as provide us with a family of aircraft with versatile capabilities."

Virgin Nigeria's E-Jets will be configured with a dual-class cabin. The first class will be equipped with seven superior 20 wide [51 centimeters] seats for the Embraer 170 and 12 for the 190, all fitted with computer power outlets. The economy class will have 60 comfortable 18.3 wide [46 centimeters].

By staff writer

© afrol News

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