Flybe has announced a firm order of 30 Embraer E Series Aircraft to further its growth into Europe.

Flybe has announced a deal that could potentially see the airline order 140 Embraer E Series Aircraft, costing up to €5 billion (£4.25bn), to support its growth into continental western Europe.

The deal consists of a €1.3bn firm order for 35 Embraer 175 E series aircraft, with options for 65 more, and purchase rights for a further 40.

Jim French CBE, Flybe Chairman and Chief Executive, described it as the ideal time to buy aircraft: “The 175 will allow us to preserve our two fleet strategy and the economic and environmental performance of the aircraft is in line with Flybe’s policy of only buying A and B rated eco-label aircraft as part of its commitment to invest in lower emission new technology aircraft.

“The 175 will give Flybe significant added capacity and is particularly suited to the sector lengths prevalent in Europe that we are most interested in exploiting.”

The E175 was chosen for many reasons, including its minimum of 30” leg room and 2×2 seating, which Flybe believes is one of the key reasons why its customers choose to fly with the airline.

French added: “We today also throw down the challenge to the regional airline manufacturers to develop a new form of jet to be available in 2017. We want manufacturers to combine the economic and environmental performance of the turboprop with the positive benefits of jet performance. Such a combination will provide the right technological platform from 2020 onwards.”

The first aircraft will be delivered in September 2011.