Embraer expects to sell 295 business jets worth $13.5 billion over the next 10 years in the Middle East. According to the Brazilian manufacturer, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates now account for 61 percent of the active fleet in the region.

“The Middle East fleet is younger than the world average and accounts for 2 percent of the world’s total business jet fleet, equivalent to 360 aircraft,” said Marco Túlio Pellegrini, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets. “If including commercial jets, an Embraer airplane takes off every five minutes in the Middle East.”

To date, the Lineage 1000 and Legacy 600/650 have proved to be the most popular Embraer business jets in the region. “Their ranges enable nonstop flights from Dubai to South Africa, Western Europe, Japan and China,” said Pellegrini.

One third of the Lineage 1000 fleet is based in the region, while the Legacy is the most popular Embraer aircraft in the Middle East, with 25 based there. In terms of installed fleet, Embraer claims to have about 5 percent market share in that part of the world.

The company expects to boost its presence in the region and sees the Lineage 1000E, announced in October last year, as a key product. The new version of the large-cabin Lineage can carry up to 19 passengers in five cabin areas, and it offers a range of 4,600 nm with eight passengers, including NBAA IFR fuel reserves. The Legacy 650 can carry up to 14 passengers and has a range of 3,900 nm when carrying four passengers.

Embraer has authorized service centers in Dubai (ExecuJet Aviation) and Abu Dhabi (Falcon Aviation Services). A dedicated regional manager in Dubai and field support representatives in Abu Dhabi and Dubai augment customer support. The company has a parts satellite warehouse in Dubai.