Commercial Aviation
Embraer Pursues China E2 Orders After 500-Order Milestone
Embraer targets Chinese airline orders for its CAAC-certified E2 jets, framing them as a complement to COMAC’s ARJ21 and C919.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters by Gabriel Araujo.
Embraer S.A. is actively pursuing orders for its E2 jet family in the Chinese market, positioning the aircraft as a strategic complement to domestically produced airliners. Commercial Aviation CEO Arjan Meijer confirmed the manufacturer’s ongoing efforts during a global airline executive gathering in Rio de Janeiro on June 7, 2026.
According to Reuters, the Brazilian aerospace company maintains a dedicated team in Beijing. Meijer noted that the team is “day-to-day working in China” to secure a foothold in a market currently dominated by Airbus, Boeing, and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC). The push into China follows a recent milestone for the E2 program, which surpassed 500 total orders on June 5, 2026, after a 15-aircraft agreement with lessor Azorra.
Strategic positioning alongside COMAC
Embraer is avoiding direct competition narratives with China’s state-backed aerospace sector. Instead, the manufacturer emphasizes how the E2 family fits between existing COMAC products. The Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 seat up to 146 passengers, placing them between the 78-to-90-seat COMAC ARJ21 and the 158-to-192-seat COMAC C919.
Meijer told Reuters that Embraer views the E2 family as the ideal complement to China’s indigenous aircraft programs. The company is marketing the jets for their efficiency in connecting secondary and tertiary cities within the Chinese domestic network.
Regulatory hurdles for the aircraft have already been cleared. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) granted a Type Certificate to the Embraer E190-E2 in November 2022 during the Zhuhai Air Show. The larger Embraer E195-E2 received its CAAC certification on August 23, 2023.
E2 program surpasses 500 orders
The renewed focus on Chinese sales coincides with broader commercial momentum for the E2 program. On June 5, 2026, Embraer announced a firm order from aircraft lessor Azorra for 15 Embraer E195-E2 jets.
This transaction pushed the total order book for the E2 family past the 500-aircraft threshold. The milestone provides Embraer with a strengthened market position as it negotiates with Chinese operators for initial regional jet placements.
AirPro News analysis
We view Embraer’s strategy of framing the E2 as a complement to COMAC rather than a competitor as a necessary diplomatic and commercial maneuver. China’s aviation strategy heavily prioritizes the success of the C919 and ARJ21. By targeting the specific capacity gap between these two airframes, Embraer offers Chinese airlines a tool for regional route development without threatening domestic manufacturing mandates.
Securing a Chinese order would validate the E2’s niche on a global scale. Geopolitical dynamics and the CAAC’s preference for domestic fleet growth mean that any breakthrough will likely require sustained engagement from Embraer’s Beijing team.
Sources: Reuters, Embraer Official Newsroom
Photo Credit: Embraer