SkyWest orders 18 Embraer 175 jets

Embraer announced Monday that it has signed a firm order with SkyWest, Inc. for 18 E175 jets. The order, which will be included in Embraer's 2015 third-quarter backlog, has an estimated value of $800 million, based on the current list price. The aircraft will be operated by SkyWest Airlines, under an amendment to an existing Capacity Purchase Agreement with United Airlines.

With this new 18 aircraft purchase, the total number of SkyWest E175 firm orders reached 73 units of this model.

Delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2016. The E175s are configured in a dual class 76-seat layout, equipped with 12 First Class seats, 16 Economy Plus seats, and 48 Economy seats, and will operate under the United Express brand.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4 percent lower than first-generation E175s. In the last two years, the E175 has captured over 80 percent of orders among aircraft in its class from airlines in the United States.

SkyWest is the holding company for two scheduled passenger airline operations and an aircraft leasing company and is headquartered in St. George, Utah. SkyWest's airline companies provide commercial air service in cities across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean with more than 3,500 flights and a fleet of 678 aircraft. SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, US Airways, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. ExpressJet Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.