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Widerøe, Scandinavia’s largest regional airline, completed the first scheduled passenger flight of an Embraer E190-E2 on the morning of April 24, 2018.
The aircraft, registered LN-WEA and operating as flight WF622, departed Bergen Airport at 7:56 a.m. and arrived at Tromsø Airport at 9:39 a.m. local time. The flight was sold out.
The flight marks the official entry into service of the first of three new E-Jets E2s that Embraer has developed to succeed its first-generation E-Jets. Deliveries of the larger E195-E2 are planned to start in 2019, and in 2021 for the smaller E175-E2.
“This is a truly historic day for the E-Jets program and for Embraer,” said John Slattery, president and CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “The first revenue flight is the crowning achievement of years of hard work and planning. I know Widerøe’s customers are going to love flying on a such a green airplane.”
Widerøe passengers experienced a quiet, environmentally-friendly flight on the 672 nm sector. The E190-E2 has the lowest external noise and emissions levels of any aircraft in its category and burns 17.3 per cent less fuel than the current-generation E190.
The completely redesigned E2 cabin interior features new acoustic treatments, an improved quiet air conditioning system and more stowage space. In some flight conditions, E2 cabin noise levels are said to be 50 per cent lower than those of its main competitor.
Embraer said the lowest community noise margins in the airline industry were achieved through a combination of low-drag and low-noise airframe design with outstanding field performance. These features reduce required engine thrust making the E2 much quieter during approach and take-off.
Stein Nilsen, Widerøe’s president and CEO, spoke after the flight landed.
“Today, we’re celebrating the beginning of a new era for Widerøe. It’s the first jet in our fleet. And we’ll always have the distinction of being the first airline to fly the E2. We see a bright future with our new E2 jets.”
Widerøe will receive two more E190-E2s this year. It holds purchase rights for an additional 12 E2s. The total value of the order is approximately US$873 million if all rights are exercised.
