Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer plans to significantly increase production of its regional aircraft as global airline demand rebounds. The company aims to deliver around 100 E-Jet aircraft per year by 2027 or 2028, according to aviation reporting by FlightGlobal journalist Jon Hemmerdinger.

The production target reflects Embraer’s broader strategy to expand its position in the regional jet market while recovering from pandemic-era disruptions that slowed aircraft manufacturing across the industry.

Company executives disclosed the plan alongside the firm’s 2025 financial results, which showed steady growth in aircraft deliveries and a rising order backlog.

Growth Strategy Behind the Embraer E-Jet Deliveries Plan

The Embraer E-Jet deliveries strategy focuses on gradually increasing production capacity over several years. According to the report, Embraer delivered 78 commercial E-Jets in 2025, slightly higher than the previous year’s output.

The manufacturer forecasts a modest increase in the near term, expecting 80–85 commercial aircraft deliveries in 2026 before accelerating production later in the decade.

Key elements of the ramp-up include:

Increasing factory output efficiency
Stabilizing supplier networks
Expanding the order backlog
Meeting rising airline demand for regional aircraft

Embraer ended 2025 with 459 aircraft in its commercial backlog, up significantly from 343 a year earlier.

This backlog includes orders for both first-generation E-Jets and the newer E2 series, which serve airlines operating routes with 80 to 146 passengers.

Supply Chain Challenges Still Affect Aircraft Production

Despite strong demand, aircraft production across the aerospace sector continues to face supply-chain disruptions.

Embraer’s E-Jet E2 aircraft rely on geared turbofan engines from Pratt & Whitney, and shortages in engine components have affected delivery schedules industry-wide.

Chief executive Francisco Gomes Neto has emphasized that improving supplier reliability is essential for achieving the 100-aircraft milestone.

Similar production challenges have also affected other aircraft manufacturers, including:

Airbus
Boeing

Both companies have experienced delivery delays in recent years due to component shortages and post-pandemic manufacturing disruptions.

Why Regional Jets Are Growing in Demand

The Embraer E-Jet family occupies a strategic market segment between turboprops and larger narrow-body aircraft.

Airlines increasingly rely on these aircraft for routes that do not have enough passenger demand to support larger jets.

Advantages of regional jets include:

Lower operating costs on short routes
Flexibility for smaller airports
Efficient capacity for regional travel

Aircraft such as the E175, E190-E2, and E195-E2 are widely used in regional aviation networks across North America, Europe, and Asia.

These aircraft typically seat 80 to 146 passengers, making them suitable for secondary routes and feeder flights to major hubs.

India and Emerging Markets Could Boost Production

Embraer is also exploring expansion opportunities in emerging aviation markets.

The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with India’s Adani Group to evaluate a potential E175 assembly line in India.

Industry forecasts suggest the Indian market could require around 500 aircraft in the 80–146-seat category over the next two decades.

If implemented, local production would:

Expand Embraer’s manufacturing footprint
Support regional airline growth
Strengthen aerospace supply chains in Asia

Regional Aviation Market Outlook

The global regional aviation sector has been steadily recovering after the sharp downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before 2020, Embraer averaged nearly 100 regional jet deliveries annually, peaking at 108 aircraft in 2016.

Production dropped dramatically during the pandemic but has gradually increased as airline travel demand returned.

Analysts believe the market for regional jets will remain strong due to:

Growth in domestic air travel
Expansion of secondary airports
Airline fleet modernization programs

These trends support Embraer’s strategy to expand E-Jet production.

Industry Context: Competition in the Regional Jet Segment

Although Embraer remains a leading manufacturer in the regional jet category, competition continues to intensify.

Key competitors include:

Airbus with the A220
Boeing through regional airline partnerships
Emerging aircraft manufacturers in Asia

Despite this competition, Embraer retains strong airline relationships and a proven aircraft family that has accumulated thousands of deliveries worldwide.

What’s Next for Embraer and Regional Aviation

If supply-chain conditions stabilize, Embraer could achieve its 100-aircraft annual production target within the next two years.

Industry analysts expect the company to focus on:

Expanding E2 jet sales
Strengthening partnerships with airlines
Increasing manufacturing efficiency

The company’s growing backlog and rising regional travel demand suggest the Embraer E-Jet deliveries strategy could become a key driver of growth in the regional aviation sector.

Sources

FlightGlobal: Embraer targets 100 E-Jet deliveries annually by 2028
Aviation Week: Embraer’s 100 Annual Deliveries Target Now 2027–2028
Reuters: Embraer eyes 100 commercial jet deliveries per year in 2028, CEO says
Air Data News: Embraer Targets Annual Production of 100 E-Jets by 2027–2028