"We believe that the market is expanding, because all indicators are positive, including economic growth perspectives, establishment of new industries, and growth in tourism. All of that points to a growth trend," said the market intelligence director for executive aviation at Embraer, Cláudio Camelier, who went to Dubai.
During the event, the company announced that it received orders for 63 new jet aircraft of various models and sizes, totaling US$ 665.5 million. "The fair is being great, both for executive and commercial aviation," said Camelier. Contracts were signed with airlines from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Nigeria, India and Spain.
According to the executive, sales had already been negotiated and were announced at the fair, but new negotiations got started during the event. "We have not yet disclosed the total value, but many business deals were initiated," he declared.
According to Camelier, economic development in the Arab world heightened the demand for aircraft to be used in regional flights, such as the executive and commercial models made by Embraer. According to him, there has also been a change in perception regarding the use of executive jet aircraft.
"They are no longer regarded as luxury items, but rather as a productivity tools," he said. "Air charter services, for example, have grown a lot in the region," he stated.
To the executive, Embraer's aircraft have features that appeal to Middle Eastern customers. The Legacy 600, for instance, is the only one in its category (super mid-size) that can have its cockpit divided into three different sections. In turn, the Lineage 1000 is a large-sized executive jet modelled after the Embraer 190, a commercial aircraft with capacity for more than 100 passengers.
According to Camelier, the Middle East is the region with the highest demand for the Lineage. The model's first unit should be delivered in the second half of 2008 to businessman Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, executive director at Abu Dhabi-based Alfahim Group, which operates in several fields, such as auto trade, industry, hotels and tourism. The aircraft has autonomy for direct flights, for example, from Dubai to London.
The company will continue to develop its activities in the region. According to Camelier, it already has an office and a sales director in Dubai.
"Our presence is a constant one," he said, stating that the Embraer will continue to showcase its aircraft and that next year the company will participate in the Middle East Business Aviation (Meba), in Dubai, a trade show turned exclusively to executive aviation.
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