KLM Cityhopper (WA, Amsterdam Schiphol) is discussing with Embraer how to accelerate new and optioned E195-E2 deliveries, Maarten Koopmans, the company’s managing director, has said.
In an interview with Aviation Week, Koopmans said the company expects four E2s to be delivered this year, with three more coming in 2025. “We have twenty-five E195-E2 options, and we are discussing how to speed up their entry-into-service.”
Additionally, the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines subsidiary is considering densifying its E195-E2s from the current 132 seats (all in economy) to 136, as one possible solution to incoming restrictions at Amsterdam Schiphol where, as per a Dutch government noise abatement directive, the number of flights per year will be reduced from 500,000 to 460,000. Local carriers have criticised the plan.
“We have 132 seats in the E2, and we are considering increasing that to 136 seats. However, we remain confident that we can keep the product for our business class passengers at the same level,” Koopmans said.
ch-aviation has reached out to Embraer for comment.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the KLM cityhopper’s fleet comprises 64 aircraft, including seventeen E175s, twenty-nine E190s, and eighteen E195-E2s, of which four are currently inactive. While not as serious as with A320-200neo, A321-200neo, and A220-300 operators, the carrier expects its Pratt & Whitney engine issues to persist for the next 18 months at least.
