Embraer’s latest figures from last year show that the airplane manufacturer delivered 75 aircraft in Q4 2023, comprising 49 executive jets (30 light and 19 medium), 25 commercial jets, and one military C-390 jet. In 2023, Embraer supplied a total of 181 aircraft – an increase of 13% compared to 2022, when the company delivered 160 planes. The company has said that it continues to face supply chain delays, which affected 2023 deliveries.
The company’s backlog rose by US$1.2 billion Year-on-Year (YoY), reaching a total of US$18.7 billion in 2023 – the highest number recorded since Q1 2018.
Commercial aviation
In Embraer’s Commercial Aviation activities, E-Jets family deliveries increased 12% YoY, from 57 jets in 2022 to 64 in 2023, supported by a book-to-bill in excess of 1.1:1. The highlight was the E2 aircraft, with deliveries more than doubling, from 19 aircraft in 2022 to 39 in 2023. The backlog of this business unit reached 298 aircraft in Q4 2023, for a total of US$8.8 billion – a US$200 million growth YoY.
A notable event was Porter Airlines exercising its purchase rights and placing a firm order for 25 Embraer E195-E2 passenger jets, adding to its existing 50 firm orders of the aircraft model. The Canadian airline now has a total of 46 firm orders to be delivered, and 25 remaining purchase rights. Furthermore, the backlog now includes four E175s previously signed by American Airlines, and two additional aircraft ordered in December.
Executive aviation
Embraer’s Executive Aviation division continued its sales momentum, with the company reporting sustained demand across its entire product portfolio, and strong customer acceptance in both retail and fleet markets. The business unit ended the year with a book-to-bill in excess of 1.3:1 and a US$4.3 billion backlog, a US$400 million growth YoY. The 74 deliveries of light jets in 2023 were 12% higher YoY and the largest volume in seven years. Moreover, the 41 deliveries of medium jets also posted double-digit annual growth, at 14%.
Defence & security
In Defence & Security, South Korea was in the spotlight, Embraer’s C-390 Millennium having won the country’s Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II public tender for new military transport aircraft. South Korea is the first customer in Asia for the C-390 Millennium. Furthermore, late last year, the first NATO-configured KC-390 Millennium entered into service for the Portuguese Air Force.
The C-390 aircraft was also selected by Austria and the Czech Republic in 2023, and by the Netherlands in 2022. Negotiations about the 11 aircraft have not yet been incorporated into Embraer Defense & Security’s backlog, which represents potential for the coming quarters. In Q4 2023, the Defense & Security business unit’s backlog was US$2.5 billion – a US$100 million growth YoY.
Services & Support
Embraer’s Services & Support activities ended 2023 with a backlog of US$3.1 billion, representing a US$400 million growth YoY – the highest level ever recorded by the company. The backlog includes renewed contracts of integrated logistical support services and comprehensive airframe maintenance programmes, such as the Pool Program for Commercial Aviation, and Embraer Executive Care for Executive Aviation. These long-term contracts in the backlog cover mainly pool contracts and other services as spare parts, repair, maintenance, and technical services.
The growth momentum in the business unit accelerated further when Embraer announced a deal which has doubled its maintenance service capacity for executive jets in the United States. The expansion will support the continued growth of its customer base through the addition of three Executive Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Dallas Love Field (Texas), Cleveland (Ohio) and Sanford (Florida).
