Embraer and Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, celebrated the delivery of the manufacturer’s first production E190-E2 today at a ceremony at Embraer’s facility in São José dos Campos. The Norwegian airline will start flying the new aircraft on domestic routes later this month.

The E190-E2 is the first of three new-generation aircraft seating from 80 to 146-seat E-Jets to be introduced through 2021. Widerøe’s E190-E2 is configured with 114 seats in a single-class layout. Widerøe has contracted for up to 15 E-Jets E2s – three firm E190-E2 orders and purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately USD 873 million if all rights are exercised.

“The E190-E2 is an impressive aircraft. It is the ideal airplane for Widerøe as we introduce jets for the first time in the company’s 84-year history,” said Stein Nilsen, Chief Executive Officer of Widerøe. “I am convinced our passengers are going to love the cabin, our operations people are going to embrace the new technology, while our financial collaborators will appreciate the economics the aircraft permits. I believe everyone is going to celebrate with, as the launch customer, the fact that we are the first airline to fly the world’s most environmentally-friendly airplane. With the lowest noise and emissions among aircraft in its category.”

“This is a historic day for the E-Jets program and for Embraer. The delivery of this E2 marks a continuation of a real success story in global aviation. I’m honored that Widerøe – such a respected and experienced airline – is our launch operator” said John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “I’m also delighted to welcome Widerøe as our newest Embraer customer and want to thank Stein and his team for the support over the last year; working together with us as partners to deliver this airplane today. I’m planning on being on the aircraft when it first enters Norwegian airspace next week and really looking forward to that!”

The E190-E2 received Type Certification on February 28. It is the first time an aircraft program with the level of complexity of the E2 has received Type Certificates simultaneously from three major worldwide authorities: Brazil’s Civil Aviation Agency (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil – ANAC), the FAA (the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).