Fuji Dream Airlines expands all-Embraer fleet in Japan
Embraer and Azorra sign deal for up to 30 E-freighters; Embraer and SkyWest Airlines extend long-term heavy MRO agreement
By Asian Aviation Staff
•Jul 22, 2026
Embraer announced that Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) has placed a firm order for two E175 aircraft. The order is already reflected in Embraer’s backlog. FDA’s new E175 aircraft will be configured in a single-class 84-seat layout, with deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028. The E175’s proven performance on high-frequency operations and shorter routes makes it a leading choice for airlines like FDA as they continue to develop their regional networks. Shunsuke Honda, President of Fuji Dream Airlines, said, “FDA currently operates a fleet of 15 Embraer aircraft, consisting of two E170s and thirteen E175s. The introduction of these new aircraft will enhance our capacity and help further strengthen our network connecting communities across Japan. We are also very pleased that this order represents an opportunity to further develop our long-standing partnership with Embraer.” Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “Fuji Dream Airlines’ outstanding operations and its team’s relentless pursuit of excellence have greatly contributed to Japan’s regional aviation sector. It also reflects the E-Jets’ ability to deliver a high standard of reliability, performance, efficiency and passenger comfort. We are honoured to be a partner in FDA’s growth and will continue to deliver exceptional value to the airline.” FDA is a full-service regional airline that has operated E-Jets since commencing operations in 2009. The airline has consistently been recognised for its strong operational and on-time performance in Japan. The fleet’s 12-month average schedule reliability, an indicator of aircraft quality and maintenance standards stand at more than 99.8%. Embraer and Azorra sign deal for up to 30 E-freighters (IMAGE: Embraer) Embraer and Azorra announced an agreement for purchasing 20 passenger-to-freighter conversions firm orders and 10 purchase rights, bringing the total agreement to up to 30 aircraft. The order follows the successful entry into service of the E190F in March. John Evans, CEO of Azorra, said: “Our partnership with Embraer has been built over many years and is rooted in a shared belief in the long-term value and reliability of the E-Jet platform. The E-Freighter is a natural extension of that story, combining the proven performance of the E-Jet with a compelling solution for the growing express cargo market. This investment reflects our confidence in the aircraft and extending its useful life. The E-Jet Freighter is an ideal replacement for older 737 freighters, offering reliable, Stage 4 noise-compliant operations and, with Azorra’s CF34 engine program, unmatched operating costs. We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Embraer and look forward to helping bring the E-Freighter to operators worldwide.” Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “Azorra has been a trusted partner in the success of Embraer aircraft around the world, and this order marks another important chapter in our relationship. This agreement is a strong endorsement of the E-Freighter and reflects growing demand for efficient, right-sized cargo solutions worldwide. We look forward to supporting Azorra and its customers as the E-Freighter continues to expand its presence across the global air cargo market.” Carlos Naufel, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support, said: “The E-Freighter combines the proven reliability of the E-Jets platform with Embraer’s comprehensive support structure, ensuring operators can maximize aircraft availability and performance from day one. As the E-Freighter fleet continues to grow, we are committed to helping customers unlock its full operational potential through our global services network, innovative solutions, and decades of experience supporting E-Jets around the world.” The agreement marks Azorra’s entry into the freighter leasing market, positioning the company among the first lessors to commit to the Embraer E-Freighter. Designed for high-frequency, time-sensitive operations, the aircraft will improve regional connectivity and help open new trade routes across key growth markets, including Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Africa – regions where Azorra has established expertise. Embraer and SkyWest Airlines extend long-term heavy MRO agreement (IMAGE: Embraer) Embraer and SkyWest Airlines have signed a long-term extension for heavy maintenance services covering the airline’s fleet of 271 E175 aircraft in the United States. Under the agreement, maintenance activities will be carried out at Embraer’s Services & Support facilities in Nashville, Tennessee; Macon, Georgia; and Fort Worth, Texas. The extension expands the scope of the existing program and increases available capacity, supporting SkyWest’s long-term fleet planning and operational requirements. “This heavy maintenance agreement is an important part of keeping our E175 fleet strong and reliable,” said Joe Sigg, SkyWest’s VP of Maintenance. “As the world’s largest owner-operator of the E175, this agreement will help ensure we’re able to continue providing the exceptional, reliable product that people expect from SkyWest.” “SkyWest has been a long-standing customer and strategic partner,” said Carlos Naufel, President and CEO, Embraer Services & Support. “This agreement reinforces Embraer’s commitment to providing OEM-led MRO solutions that enhance fleet reliability and operational efficiency, while supporting our customers’ growth with a robust and expanding maintenance network in the United States.” Embraer continues to expand its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) footprint in the country. In Fort Worth, the company is investing approximately USD 70 million in a new commercial aviation MRO facility at Perot Field Alliance Airport, expected to be operational by 2027. Once completed, the expansion will increase Embraer’s service capacity for E-Jets customers in the U.S. by more than 50%. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]
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