Luxembourg’s national airline Luxair took delivery of its first Embraer E195-E2 jet on Saturday afternoon.
The new aircraft will gradually replace the De Havilland Q400 turboprops as Luxair modernises its fleet.
The Embraer jets use 29% less kerosene than the turboprops and, according to Luxair, are up to 35% quieter.
“Developing responsible, innovative and future-oriented air transport by making the skies a sustainable space means protecting our planet, improving the quality of life and offering a unique travel experience,” said Minister for Mobility Yuriko Backes at a ceremony to welcome the new plane in Findel.
The new Embraer E195-E2 has arrived at Findel © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
A close-up of the engine © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Despite the rainy weather, the airport fire brigade greeted the new jet with traditional water fountain © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
The cockpit of the new Luxair Embraer © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
The interior of the aircraft in 2-2 seating © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes welcomes Luxair CEO Gilles Feith © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Yuriko Backes and Gilles Feith pose in the cockpit © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Luxair CEO Gilles Feith presented the airline’s new workhorse to guests © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Mobility Minister Yuriko Backes addresses guests in the Luxair hangar © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
Minister of Mobility Yuriko Backes addresses the guests in the Luxair hangar © Photo credit: Claude Piscitelli
The new aircraft also have a range of 4,815km, around three times longer than De Havillands and can accommodate 136 passengers in a 2-2 configuration, compared to just 76 in the De Havilland Q800. The airline has ordered a total of six Embraer E195-E2s and has the order rights for three more.
The Embraer, which flies under the registration LX-LEA, flew to Luxembourg from the Embraer facility in Sao Jose dos Campos in Brazil via Recife and Gran Canaria.
It will enter service for Luxair in April 2026 and fly a twice daily route to Alicante in Spain.
(This article was first published by Luxemburger Wort. Machine translated with editing by Duncan Roberts)