EMBRAER has finally gained provisional type certification from the Brazilian airworthiness authority, Centro T”cnico Aeroespacial (CTA), for its new 170 commercial airliner. Issuance of a similar certificate by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to happen soon. The provisional type certificate means that the aircraft meets international safety standards and allows the delivery of the Embraer 170 to airlines for the beginning of crew training and route testing flights. Lead operator Alitalia Express, having considered the situation, has opted for rescheduling the delivery of its aircraft to 2004 after the definitive type certification is granted. Embraer and US Airways are currently engaged in discussions aimed at defining initial deliveries of the Embraer 170. At present the 170/190 family has 245 firm orders and 308 purchase options from Air Cara”bes, Alitalia, Cirrus, GECAS, JetBlue, LOT, SWISS and US Airways.
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