Embraer Executive Jets delivered the first Legacy 500 slated for a customer in Mexico, the manufacturer announced August 10. The midsize twinjet, which was awarded type certification from Mexico’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority in June, will be operated by Transpaís Aéreo, a subsidiary of the Lomex Group Aeronautics Division.

Embraer said the Legacy 500 is well suited for the Mexican market because of its runway performance and transcontinental range. With a range of 3,125 nm, the jet can fly nonstop from Toluca to Manaus, Brazil, or from Cancun to Vancouver, Canada.

“We have been able to differentiate ourselves from the competitors by introducing innovative products for the segments in which we compete,” said Embraer Executive Jets president and CEO Marco Túlio Pellegrini. “The delivery of the first Legacy 500 in Mexico highlights the market trend toward business jets that combine performance, range, low-cost operation and cabin comfort.”

With the second-largest fleet of business jets in the world, just behind the U.S., “Mexico’s strong business aviation culture highlights the need for a powerful tool that helps decision-makers compete in a marketplace that demands speed, flexibility, efficiency and productivity,” he added. “The Legacy 500 is the midsize jet that exceeds customer expectations.”

Transpaís Aéreo, which has more than 40 years’ experience in the business aviation sector, offered preventive and corrective maintenance, aircraft management, chartering, aircraft storage and FBO services, mainly in Monterrey and Toluca.

About 20 Legacy 500s are now in service since the first one was delivered late last year, an Embraer spokesman told AIN.