Embraer Targets Nearly 30% Jump in Jet Deliveries

Embraer plans to increase commercial aircraft deliveries by nearly 30% over the next two years as rising demand for regional jets supports a return to pre-pandemic production levels, according to the company’s commercial aviation chief. Speaking ahead of the Airline Economics conference in Dublin, Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer said the Brazilian planemaker is targeting about 100 aircraft deliveries per year, up from 78 jets delivered in 2025.

“The first target is to get back to 100 deliveries, but with the demand we currently have and the sales results, we’re probably going to have to go beyond that,” Meijer told Reuters. Embraer’s 2025 deliveries were within its guidance range of 77 to 85 aircraft, but remained below the roughly 100 units delivered annually before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global aviation markets.

The planned ramp-up follows a sharp rebound in order activity. Embraer recorded 131 net orders for its E2 family of regional jets in 2025, quadrupling sales from the previous year and outselling Airbus’ A220 program by roughly three to one. Customers included All Nippon Airways and LATAM, underscoring renewed interest from both network and regional carriers. Despite losing a politically sensitive campaign in Poland to Airbus, Meijer said overall demand momentum remains intact.

Airlines are now moving to replace aircraft retirements deferred during the pandemic, supporting near-term demand even amid broader geopolitical uncertainty. “Am I concerned about certain global developments? Yes, for sure, we keep an eye on it, but we do not see the demand falling away,” Meijer said in a telephone interview.

In October 2025, Embraer warned that potential US tariffs on Brazilian aircraft could lead to order delays or cancellations, CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said at the ASEAN summit. He estimated that tariffs could add about US$2 million per aircraft and cost Embraer roughly US$80 million this year, while also hurting US suppliers.

Supply chain performance remains a key variable as Embraer increases output. Meijer said conditions have improved compared with recent years but stressed the need for stability in 2026 to support higher production rates. Engines and aerostructures have been among the most affected components. However, he said Pratt & Whitney, which supplies geared turbofan engines for the E2 family, has largely resolved shortages and maintenance bottlenecks.

That assessment contrasts with challenges facing other aircraft programs using similar engine technology. Meijer said the version of the Pratt & Whitney engine used on Embraer’s E2 jets has been less affected by durability issues, citing the aircraft’s smaller size, lighter weight and later entry into service. According to Meijer, the number of Embraer aircraft grounded due to engine maintenance delays has fallen to single digits, from a peak of between 25 and 40 aircraft. “We expect that to go to zero by the end of this year,” he said.

Embraer’s production outlook comes as manufacturers across the sector balance rising demand against constrained industrial capacity. While both Airbus and Boeing have faced delivery delays tied to supply chain and quality issues, Embraer has sought to position its regional jets as an alternative for airlines adjusting fleet plans. The E2 family competes directly with larger single-aisle aircraft on shorter routes, a segment airlines are increasingly using to manage capacity and costs.

Meijer declined to comment on reports that Embraer may announce an agreement to assemble aircraft in India. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that a partnership involving the aerospace arm of Indian conglomerate Adani Group was under discussion ahead of a planned visit to India by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Meijer said the company remains focused on executing its current production plans.

On longer-term strategy, Embraer is not rushing to launch a clean-sheet successor to its current jet family. Instead, the company is prioritizing technology development while monitoring market conditions. “We are looking at all the options,” Meijer said. “A new platform for a manufacturer is a major decision, and we are going to have to tread slowly and carefully.”