Arabian aerospace
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has added two Embraer E-170s to its fleet as part of a new deal which also includes options for two E-190s.
Petro Air took delivery of the two new 76-seat E-170s – valued at $66.8m at the end of last month according to an announcement today by the Brazilian manufacturer. The company said that the decision was only made at the start of this year.
Embraer has already demonstrated its quick reaction to deliver when it speedily supplied Gulf Air with two of the type for its new regional programme.
Petro Air was created by the Libyan government after merging the four aviation departments previously under NOC. According to Air Transport Intelligence one of these departments, the aviation unit of Sirte Oil, took delivery of an E-170 in the first quarter of 2007.
The two new E-170s join this original E-170 and will be utilised on employee shuttle flights and ad hoc charters. All three aircraft are in single-class 76-seat configuration.
“Because of the exceptional performance and reliability of the Embraer 170 already operated by Sirte Oil Company, we decided to acquire these two new aircraft,” Petro Air general manager Basem Tantush said. “We expect 2010 to be an extremely dynamic year for us, and these aircraft will play a key role in achieving our success.”
If Petro takes up the option of the E190s the deal value will increase by $80m.