Reuters: Global Markets: Embraer wins $4 billion American Eagle fleet deal; shares soar

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Embraer wins $4 billion American Eagle fleet deal; shares soar Jan 24th 2013, 14:33 SAO PAULO | Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:33am EST SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's Embraer SA (EMBR3.SA) on Thursday clinched a deal worth up to $4 billion to supply larger regional jets for American Airlines' regional network, sending shares soaring on hopes for stable production this year. Embraer and Republic Airways Holdings Inc (RJET.O) signed a contract for 47 E-175 jets, with an option to acquire an additional 47 aircraft. The new aircraft will be operated by Republic under AMR Corp's (AAMRQ.PK) American Eagle brand. The contract provides welcome relief for the order-starved Brazilian planemaker after it lost the first major U.S. order for bigger regional jets under renegotiated labor deals. In December, Canadian rival Bombardier Inc (BBDb.TO) booked a Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) deal for up to $3.29 billion. Shares of Embraer jumped over 11 percent in early Sao Paulo trading, their biggest one-day rise in almost four years. Embraer's new contract is subject to court approval due to bankruptcy proceedings at American Airlines -- approval that the planemaker said it expects by the end of March. Delivery of the dual-class 76-seat jets would then begin in the middle of 2013, with two or three jets arriving per month, according to American Airlines. American agreed to have Republic acquire and operate the planes under a 12-year contract. Embraer's output this year has hinged on securing demand for open production slots after a scarcity of big orders bled its order backlog, a pipeline of future revenue, to a six-year low. Some analysts had already cut their 2013 and 2014 output forecasts amid the drought of new orders. The new planes flying in the American Airlines network will be the first to receive a series of mid-generation upgrades, including new wingtips and other aerodynamics to boost fuel efficiency by 5 percent. Part of an industry push for more efficient aircraft, the upgrades are aimed at holding on to customers impatient for an overhauled lineup of E-Jets with Pratt & Whitney's geared turbo fan, which aren't due for delivery until 2018. (Reporting by Brad Haynes; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints

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