MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Brazil’s Embraer opens aircraft technical services subsidiary in China

Embraer’s main plant in Brazil

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced Tuesday the creation of a technical-services subsidiary in China, where the company has been building planes since 2003 in a joint venture with a Chinese firm.

Embraer plans to invest 18 million US dollars in Beijing-based Embraer China Aircraft Technical Services Company Ltd., the parent company said in a press release.

ECA will offer logistical support, spare parts and consulting services on technical issues and flight operations. Embraer said it created the wholly owned subsidiary in light of the “steady growth” of its customer base in China.

More than 70 Embraer planes are now in service in the Asian nation and the company has firm orders for dozens more.

In 2003, Embraer and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China formed the joint venture Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry, located in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, which began turning out aircraft the following year.

“The establishment of Embraer China Technical Services demonstrates our long-term commitment and confidence on the growing Chinese aviation market,” Guan Dongyuan, president of Embraer China and CEO of ECA, said in the company statement.

Outside Brazil, Embraer also has maintenance operations in the United States and Portugal. The Brazilian company is the world’s top manufacturer of commercial jets of up to 120 seats.