Etihad buys 4 Embraer Phenom jets for training college fleet

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad has purchased four Embraer Phenom 100E aircraft for its flight training college in Al Ain, the airline said in a statement.

The deal also offers Etihad an option to purchase three additional aircraft of the same model in the future.

The order is valued at about $30m, based on current list prices if all options are exercised.

Deliveries of the aircraft to Etihad Flight College will start in Q1 2016, the statement added.

Based in Al Ain, the Etihad Flight College was established to train pilots and currently provides fixed wing training for up to 120 cadets annually.

The delivery of the four new Embraer Phenom 100E aircraft will bring the total number of aircraft in the trainer fleet to 20. Etihad’s trainer fleet currently includes 10 Cessna 172SP Skyhawk and six Diamond DA42NG aircraft.

“The Phenom 100E’s airline-grade technology, performance and reliability make it an ideal initial training platform to prepare our cadets for line operations,” said Etihad Airways’ COO Richard Hill.

Etihad Airways currently employs over 2,200 pilots and operates a fleet of 116 Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with over 200 additional aircraft on firm order.

Aircraft sales have been growing over the last few years, buoyed by strong demand for air travel and an expansion by major carriers.

Although Airbus and Boeing have been the biggest beneficiaries in the industry, small players like Embraer has also began to reap benefits.

Brazil-based Embraer said it signed orders for 50 jets, valued at $2.6bn at the recently held Paris Air show.

The orders, which included options for more jets, came from United Airlines, US regional operator SkyWest, Chinese airline Colorful Guizhou and leasing company Aircastle.