Brazilian Aircraft on the Way to Iran

Iranian companies intend to purchase 50 Embraer aircraft from Brazil. Although the specific model and purchasing company have not yet been definitively determined, several Iranian companies have reported negotiations with this Brazilian company. Mohammad Reza Khushnavisan, the commercial deputy of Iran Air, told ILNA, "Various factories around the world are active in the production of short-range and low-capacity aircraft, including Canadian and Brazilian manufacturers that can offer aircraft with shorter ranges and limited capacity for regional routes." Abdolreza Mousavi, chairman of the board of Zagros Airlines, a private airline in Iran, stated, "We had a meeting with the sales manager of Embraer to see what aircraft they can provide us." On the other hand, Reuters quoted an assistant to the Brazilian president stating that Iran is interested in purchasing 50 aircraft from the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer. Embraer had previously confirmed that Iran is interested in purchasing aircraft from them, with preferred models in the E1 regional jet family due to their low maintenance costs. Despite this news, what kind of company is Embraer, and which of its products could be beneficial for Iran's aviation industry? Embraer was established in 1969 by the Brazilian government. In the early 1990s, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, which it avoided in 1994 when the Brazilian government began the privatization process. In the field of aircraft manufacturing, Embraer ranks third globally after Boeing and Airbus in the production of non-widebody aircraft, with Bombardier of Canada being its main competitor. The company also has capabilities in manufacturing regional aircraft with turboprop engines. Recently, ATR successfully sold 20 turboprop aircraft to Iran Air and is set to sell another 20 if requested by Iran. Turboprop engines are a type of gas turbine engine that uses the rotation of the turbine shaft to turn a propeller and create thrust. These engines are suitable for aircraft with short ranges and speeds below 700 kilometers per hour and are economically advantageous due to their lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs compared to turbofan engines. The company is also considered a strong player in the production of military aircraft and private jets. Among the aircraft produced by Embraer, which could be beneficial for Iran? One of the biggest needs of Iran's aviation industry is for aircraft with a passenger capacity of 80 to 140. Currently, three aircraft—Fokker 100, BAe 146, and McDonnell Douglas MD-80—are fulfilling the need for 80 to 140 passenger aircraft in Iranian airlines, but each of these aircraft has been out of service for years, and the manufacturers of all three have gone bankrupt and no longer exist after merging with other companies. Embraer has a class of aircraft designated as E that can meet Iran's aviation needs. This class of aircraft, due to their safety and reasonable prices, has attracted the attention of many airlines worldwide, including Lufthansa. The E1 and E2 models belong to the same class, but the E2 models are considered more modern and have more advanced engines and flight systems, resulting in lower fuel consumption due to their better designs. The E class includes four series: 170, 175, 190, and 195, which use a similar platform but differ slightly in length and seating capacity, accommodating 80, 88, 114, and 122 passengers, respectively. The E175 costs about $29 million, while the E195 is priced at approximately $47 million. The E2 model, an upgraded version of the E1, costs around $46 million for the 175 series and $53 and $60 million for the 190 and 195 series, respectively. The E2 model is very close in fuel efficiency, safety, and flight specifications to Boeing's 737 MAX, the most advanced mid-range aircraft from Boeing, yet it is about $40 million cheaper. This aircraft's range covers the route from Tehran to Delhi, India, and it has a capacity of 120 passengers. The engine for this aircraft is produced by Pratt & Whitney in the USA, one of the strongest manufacturers of turbofan engines, known for its military aircraft engines like the F-14, F-15, F-18, F-22, and F-35. The E2 series engine, named "PW1000G," is the same engine used on Bombardier's C series, Mitsubishi's MRJ, and Airbus 321 aircraft. This engine is currently considered one of the most advanced and fuel-efficient turbofan engines in the world. Beyond aircraft with a capacity of 80 to 120 passengers, Embraer has a wide range of aircraft with lower capacities that can meet Iran's regional and domestic needs. One such model, used by various companies worldwide, including Air Canada, is the Embraer ERJ-175, which has a capacity of 50 passengers and a speed of 850 kilometers per hour. The use of modern technology alongside lower prices compared to Airbus and Boeing is one of the advantages of Brazilian-made aircraft for Iran. Additionally, there are two other advantages for Iran in using these aircraft. First, the high capacity and order volume at Airbus and Boeing, due to orders from Arab and Turkish companies, can delay the fulfillment of Iran's aviation needs for several years, while the Brazilian company Embraer can meet these needs more quickly. The second point, which seems important to officials at Iran's Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, is the production of these aircraft in Iran, as some reports suggest that Embraer officials are willing to manufacture part of these aircraft in Iran.