Embraer promotes the E195-E2 in Mozambique

During the Mozambique-Brazil Business Forum held in Maputo, representatives from Embraer advocated the use of aircraft with up to 150 seats as a solution for efficiency gains in regional aviation.

The statements come at a time when the state-owned LAM Mozambique Airlines plans to expand its fleet, which is currently quite limited.

“Our aircraft have a capacity of 146 seats. We are world leaders in this category of up to 150 seats,” said João Taborda, vice president of Embraer, referring to the E195-E2 jet, the largest produced by the company. He emphasized that larger aircraft often operate with low occupancy, increasing costs for airlines.

“Often we see large aircraft traveling with many empty seats. This is very inefficient and very costly for airlines,” added Taborda. The manufacturer projects that regional aircraft allow for flight flexibility and better alignment with demand.

“Our aircraft allow, instead of putting all 200 people on one plane, perhaps we can do two or three flights a day,” explained the executive. In the African context, about 85% of routes carry less than 200 passengers daily.

Founded in 1937, LAM has experienced ups and downs throughout its history. The airline has operated Russian aircraft such as the Ilyushin IL-62 and Western widebodies like the DC-10, in addition to Brazilian E190 jets.

In the new attempt to relaunch it, the government added a Q400 turboprop to LAM’s fleet, with a capacity of 74 passengers, and an Airbus A319, with 144 seats.

According to Prime Minister Benvinda Levi, the company will also receive two first-generation Embraer E190s soon, with a capacity between 90 and 114 seats.

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Ricardo Meier

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