Embraer postpones launch of new turboprop

Embraer has, officially, announced it's postponing the launch of a new turboprop commuter aircraft. The manufacturer is saying that the wanted performance couldn't be reached with current technologies provided by its suppliers. In the coming year, Embraer will continue to work with these suppliers to see how the goals could be met but hasn't said when it plans to launch the aircraft now.

Talks about a potential new 70- and 90-seat turboprop surfaced in October 2020 and Embraer had set its sights on 2023 to launch the new aircrafts. It would have been a welcome entry into a market that is now covered solely with new-built or second-hand ATR72s or second-hand DHC-8-400s.

Although it's unclear which suppliers were not meeting the required targets, FlightGlobal is reporting that the biggest hurdle for the launch would be the availability of new turboprop-engines. According to them, engine manufacturers were reluctant to launch an all-new turboprop only for the new Embraer.

Since it's first iteration in October 2020, the design of the turboprop has moved from an aircraft with wing-mounted engines to an aircraft with engines mounted below the tail on the aft-fuselage. This latest design concept can also be found in the new Energia concepts Embraer showed earlier this month.

Illustration by Embraer.