Finnair Orders 18 Embraer E195-E2 Jets in Landmark Fleet Overhaul

Finnair has announced its largest fleet investment in more than two decades, ordering 18 Embraer E195-E2 narrow-body aircraft from Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. The deal marks a significant strategic shift for the Finnish flag carrier, which is moving away from long-standing supplier Airbus for its short-haul European operations.

The order comes with options for 16 additional aircraft and purchase rights for 12 more, signaling Finnair's long-term commitment to the E2 platform. Alongside the Embraer deal, the airline plans to source up to 12 Airbus A320 or A321 jets from the secondary market to further strengthen its narrow-body capacity. Engine maintenance services will be provided through a separate agreement with RTX's Pratt & Whitney.

Finnair CEO Turkka Kuusisto highlighted the aircraft's operational and environmental advantages, noting it will cut CO2 emissions by 30% per passenger compared to current jets. He also described the E195-E2 as one of the quietest aircraft available, making it ideal for dense European routes and domestic Finnish operations. Total planned investments through the end of 2029 are expected to reach approximately 2 billion euros ($2.31 billion).

The announcement is another win for Embraer, whose E2 series outsold the Airbus A220 by a three-to-one margin last year, capitalizing on a global wave of short-haul fleet renewals as airlines replace aircraft purchases delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finnair itself has faced considerable headwinds in recent years, including pandemic-related losses and restricted access to Russian airspace following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The airline currently operates around 80 aircraft, including 26 wide-body Airbus A330s and A350s, 29 Airbus narrow-bodies, 12 ATR 72-500s, and 12 Embraer 190s. The new E195-E2 jets will initially replace 15 aging narrow-body models, with potential for further expansion to meet growing passenger demand across Europe.