SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil - SkyWest Inc (SkyWest) has placed a firm order for 40 Embraer 175 regional jets. SkyWest will operate the aircraft under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines. Another 60 firm orders are reconfirmable aircraft, which are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with major U.S. airline partners. In addition to that, the agreement includes options for another 100 E 175s, taking the total order potential up to 200 airplanes.
The firm orders for the first 40 aircraft will be included in Embraer's 2013 second quarter backlog. This sale is in addition to the contract signed by Embraer with United Airlines for 30 firm and 40 options for E 175 jets. General Electric's CF34-8E turbofans power the Embraer 175.
If all 100 firm orders are exercised, the order has an estimated value of $4.1 billion at current list prices. SkyWest plans to configure the E 175s in a dual-class 76-seat layout, with the delivery of the first aircraft scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.
