Brazilian aerospace major Embraer has reportedly asked Indian airlines to commit to firm orders exceeding 200 aircraft before it proceeds with establishing a final assembly line (FAL) for commercial jets in India, according to a report by The Times of India.
If immediate large-scale commitments do not materialise, the company has suggested a phased alternative. It could initially launch a completion centre in India, where aircraft built in Brazil would be ferried for painting, cabin installation, and interior finishing before delivery to customers.
Embraer estimates that India could require nearly 500 regional jets in the coming years. Much of this demand is expected to stem from the government’s regional connectivity initiative, UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik), aimed at enhancing air links between Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The company intends to assemble its Embraer E175 in India. The aircraft typically accommodates between 76 and 88 passengers and is optimised for short- and medium-haul operations.
Currently, Star Air operates eight E175 jets in India, while Reliance Industries uses one for corporate travel. To secure major fleet commitments, Embraer executive Neto has been engaging with senior leadership at key carriers such as Air India, owned by the Tata Group, and is also expected to hold discussions with IndiGo.
Meanwhile, the Adani Group is evaluating potential sites for the proposed assembly facility, with Dholera emerging as a strong contender.
Beyond aircraft assembly, Embraer is working to deepen its local supply chain presence. The company has been building relationships with Indian suppliers for the past 18 months and recently signed an agreement with Hindalco to explore manufacturing aerospace-grade aluminium domestically. At present, Embraer counts more than 15 supply chain partners in India.
