Brazilian aircraft builder Embraer has signed an agreement that will see Legacy 600 and 650 executive jets built in China. The agreement with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) was signed in Rio de Janeiro yesterday during a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiaobao.
The project will use the infrastructure, financial resources and workforce of the joint venture Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd. (HEAI), which started operations in 2002.
“Today´s announcement marks another milestone in the history of Embraer's long term commitment to China and of Brazil-Sino bilateral relations,” remarked Embraer President and CEO Frederico Fleury Curado. “This new phase of AVIC-Embraer partnership corroborates what has been referred to by state leaders of both countries as ‘a model of South-South cooperation’.”
AVIC President Tan Ruisong said the agreement was beneficial to the aspirations of both companies.
“The achievement of Sino-Brazil co-operation in the field of aviation is a hard-won, indispensable of the joint efforts from state leaders and the industry players of both countries. The co-operation on executive jets manufacturing, as the continuation of what the two parties have attained via the joint venture, fits in the strategic development of all parties.
“It is undoubtedly a win-win strategic international cooperation. As the leader of China’s aviation industry, AVIC will seize the opportunity to develop a platform building executive jets that will meet the demand of the global and China markets, and ultimately assist China’s executive aviation industry progressing into a new stage.”
Embraer has been in China since 2000, when its Beijing office was opened. In June 2010, the company set up its first wholly-owned subsidiary in China, the Embraer (China) Aircraft Technical Services Co., Ltd., focusing on after sales support.
AVIC signed a similar deal with Cessna in May to build C208s in China, and February 2011, bought US aero engine manufacturer Teledyne Continental. AVIC also owns Cirrus Aircraft.