With Embraer's new Praetor 600 on the cusp of certification, the company has expressed confidence in the jet's ability to meet the needs of customers in the Asia Pacfic Region.
Speaking at the Australian International Airshow last week, Embraer Executive Jet's Asia Pacific and Middle East Vice President Claudio Camelier told the media that he expected the Praetor 600's price and performace would be attractive to customers.
"We see a lot of potential for the Praetor 600 in the Asia Pacific region," Camelier said, "because this is a region where customers clearly demand long range aircraft, and the capability that the Praetor 600 brings to the market is really unique in this segment and at the price point."
The Praetor 600 and its sister Praetor 500 were announced in October last year. Developments of the Legacy 500 and Legacy 450 respectively, both are still undergoing testing and are due for certification in 2019. The 600 has been priced at just under $US21 million and the 500 at just under $US17 million.
Both aircraft are described as super-midrange, with the 600's 3900-nm range being able to link city pairs such as Sydney-Singapore, Adelaide-Kuala Lumpur and Cairns-Tokyo, whilst the 3250-nm range of the Praetor 500 will enable non-stop legs like Melboure-Jakarta, Perth-Singapore and Darwin-Kuala Lumpur.
"The Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 are the disruptive aircraft for the entrepreneur, for the pioneer, for the innovator,” said Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets when announcing the new models.
“The Praetors are aircraft certainly in keeping with their name, leading the way in redefining the characteristics of what a midsize and super-midsize aircraft deliver to the market.
"The introduction of these aircraft support our vision of fascinating our customers and providing them with superior value and the best experience in the industry."
The Praetor 600 is due to enter service in the second quarter of 2019, with the 500 following in the third quarter.
"Praetor" comes from Latin and means "one who goes before". It was used in the Roman Empire for an official ranked below a Consul.
More information is on the Embraer Executive Jets website.