Embraer a 'great solution' for carriers to add capacity more quickly, CEO says

By Gabriel Araujo

SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil (Reuters) -Brazilian planemaker Embraer sees itself as a "great solution" for carriers to add capacity more quickly amid constraints to 'big' narrowbody deliveries in the industry, Chief Executive Francisco Gomes Neto said on Tuesday.

The company has seen increased demand for its commercial jets and is actively working on several sales campaigns it hopes to conclude in coming months, Gomes Neto told reporters at an event at the firm's headquarters.

Embraer has production slots available from 2026, meaning it can deliver on new jet sales before larger rivals Boeing and Airbus, the latter having sold out its production of single-aisle jets until the end of the decade.

The Brazilian firm is gearing up for the Farnborough Airshow next month, when planemakers often announce major orders. Gomes Neto said Embraer hopes this year's event will be "the best show ever" for the company.

"We have a positive sales momentum in different business units," the executive said. "Starting with the commercial jets, we have seen increased demand for our E-Jets, either the E175-E1 or the E2 family."

Embraer this month bagged an order for 20 E2 jets from Mexicana de Aviacion, opening a new market for its second-generation jets, following a major order from American Airlines in March for 90 smaller, first generation E175.

Embraer's traditional regional market, where it competes with its E2 family for 90 to 120 passengers, fits just below the Boeing and Airbus's best-selling 150-seat-plus market.

Gomes Neto reiterated that even though Embraer understands it has the capability to make larger aircraft, at this point there are no concrete plans to move in a different direction from its regional niche.

"We are always making studies about opportunities, not only in commercial but in other business unites as well, but at this point of time we don't have concrete plans," the executive said. "We are really focused on selling the products we have."

(Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)