LOW-COST carrier Scoot will add nine new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft to its fleet to support its network growth strategy, the company said in a press statement on Friday (Feb 17).

The subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it had signed a letter of intent with aircraft lessor Azorra to add the Brazilian aircraft, with the first jet scheduled for delivery in 2024. The remaining eight will be progressively introduced by the end of 2025.

The E190-E2 is the latest variant of Embraer’s line of regional jets, and has the capacity to seat 112 passengers in a single-class configuration. Scoot will deploy the aircraft on short and medium-haul flights of up to five hours.

The new planes will join Scoot’s existing fleet of over 50 aircraft, comprising larger planes from the Airbus A320 family, as well as Boeing 787 jets.

Scoot said the new Embraer planes would allow it to better match capacity to demand as it enhanced its regional network.

“Expanding Scoot’s fleet to include nine new E190-E2 aircraft enables us to continue operating a modern and fuel-efficient fleet,” Scoot’s chief executive Leslie Thng said. “It also affirms our commitment to offer even more travel opportunities for our customers at the same great value.”

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Bloomberg previously reported in December that Embraer was in talks with SIA to supply Scoot with regional jets. Any potential order could eventually swell to as many as 50 aircraft over time, according to the report. The market value of 50 Embraer E190-E2 jets was about US$1.61 billion in 2021, based on prices provided by aircraft appraiser Avitas, though customers typically negotiate steep discounts on orders. 

SIA shares fell 0.2 per cent on Friday to close at S$5.84, before the announcement.