Kenya's aviation community welcomes Embraer's new E190-E2

Kenya Airways recently collaborated with Brazil's Embraer S.A., to demonstrate the capabilities of Embraer’s passenger jet, the E190-E2 'Shark', in Nairobi.
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Above: Kenya’s aviation community welcomes Embraer’s newest aircraft to Nairobi. The E190-E2 is painted with a special shark livery, in recognition of the aircraft’s predatory approach to generating profit for customers.
Courtesy Kenya Airways


The demonstration flight and static display in Nairobi came hot on the heels of an appearance at the United Kingdom’s Farnborough Airshow and a first landing at London’s City Airport.

The passenger jet was welcomed by a large group of Kenya’s aviation community, including Kenya Airways’ senior management, engineers, pilots and cabin crew. The group also included senior Kenyan aviation officials, government officials, the African Aviation Association Secretary General, Abderahmane Berthe and the Brazilian Ambassador to Kenya, Fernando Coimbra.

“The debut of the E190-E2, in Nairobi, is a landmark moment in our long term and successful relationship with Kenya Airways,” said Raul Villaron, Vice President Africa and Middle East for Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The E190-E2 cuts fuel burn by more than 17% and is the quietest passenger jet in the world today, both inside the cabin and out; delivering significant cost efficiencies for airlines and an improved passenger experience.”

“We have had good commercial ties with Embraer since we acquired our first Embraer E190 in 2010. We have used these planes for the past eight years to boost our fleet and have been very useful in servicing new routes and frequencies in our growing African network,” Jan de Vegt, Chief Operating Officer, Kenya Airways said.

Kenya Airways currently operates 15 Embraer E190, making it the largest E190 operator in Africa.

“We are proud that Kenya Airways is one of the few approved E190 service centres in Africa. In addition, we have had a long-term and cordial working relationship with the International Air Travel Association (IATA) in regard to improving the training standards in the aviation industry in Africa. This is in line with Kenya Airways’ core purpose of contributing to the
sustainable development of Africa,” he added.

Since entering revenue service, the E-Jets family has received more than 1,800 orders and over 1,400 aircraft have been delivered. Today, E-Jets are flying in the fleet of 70 customers in 50 countries. The 70-150 seat family is flying with low-cost airlines as well as with regional and mainline carriers.