PARIS/SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazilian planemaker Embraer said on Monday it had secured a firm order for eight E190-E2 regional jets from Virgin Australia.
Reuters reported earlier in the day before the announcement that industry sources said Embraer was poised to secure the order winning a competition against the A220, the smallest model of Europe's Airbus.
In a separate statement, Virgin Australia said the "significant investment" in Embraer aircraft would secure the future growth of its Western Australia-based regional and charter business, Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA).
The E190-E2 jets will join Virgin Australia's fleet starting in October 2025 and will ultimately replace its long-serving Fokker 100 fleet, the Australian carrier said.
The companies did not say how much the order was worth.
According to price estimates from consultancy Cirium Ascend, such an order would be worth just under $300 million after typical industry discounts.
Embraer said the order will be added to its third quarter book, with deliveries expected to start in the second half of 2025.