Embraer, a Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, issued a release July 14 confirming five options for Embraer 190 jet aircraft by airline National Air Services (NAS) Aviation, from Saudi Arabia. The airline has one of the Middle East's highest growth rates.
NAS already had five firm orders placed, in addition to these five options, with the Brazilian manufacturer. The contract, which was announced in November 2007, has a total value of US$ 187 million, according to Embraer. The Saudis still have purchasing rights for 12 Embraer 190 jets.
Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2010, according to Embraer. The Brazilian company informed that the contract is already included in its backlog as "undisclosed customer". The aircraft will be used by companies affiliated with the NAS Aviation Group. The company is based in Riyadh and manages a total of 50 aircraft.
"NAS' decision is particularly important to us, as it should even further strengthen our presence in a region as outstanding as the Middle East is," stated the executive vice president for the Commercial Aviation Market at Embraer, Mauro Kern.
Gollog-SkyCargo Partnership
Brazilian airline Gol's subsidiary, the cargo transport unit, Gollog, has signed a partnership with Emirates SkyCargo, the cargo division of Emirates Airline, to transport cargo to all destinations operated by the two companies.
Under the agreement, Gollog will use GTA and Varig aircraft to transport cargo originating in any of the 59 destinations in Brazil and South America served by either airline and deliver it to Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo.
Upon arrival at Guarulhos, the cargo will be transferred to an Emirates' aircraft for shipment to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From Dubai, Emirates will then distribute the cargo to one of its more than 101 destinations in 62 countries, where it will then be delivered to its final destination.
Alternatively, cargo shipped to São Paulo via Emirates SkyCargo will be transferred to GTA and Varig aircraft and transported to its final destination through Gol's domestic and international route network.
"It is a privilege for Gol, through Gollog, to have been chosen to transport Emirate's cargo. This partnership demonstrates our team's ability to meet new market demands, in addition to providing our customers with an additional alternative," says Tarcísio Gargioni, GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes' vice-president of marketing and services. "By working together, we hope to increase the commercial relations between South America, the Middle East and Asia, which will also benefit export."
Emirates SkyCargo operates seven weekly frequencies between São Paulo and Dubai. According to the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, Brazilian exports transported by air to Arab countries have increased approximately 60% since the company entered the market, increasing from 2,200 to 3,400 tons.
