Embraer order book drops to five year low

Slumping sales of its reginoal E-Jets have pushed Embraer's firm order backlog to a five year low. (Embraer)

Weak sales of its E-Jet commercial aircraft saw Brazilian planemaker Embraer end the first quarter of the year with its lowest backlog since 2006.

The results underscored doubts about long-term demand for regional jets amid soaring fuel costs and a struggling global economy. Embraer said it took in just 12 new orders for commercial jets in the first three months of 2012 as its backlog slipped to a value of US$14.7 billion from a high of US$21.6 billion in late 2008.

By contrast, Boeing and Airbus have both seen their order sheets grow thanks to strong demand for more fuel efficient next-generation jetliners.

The world’s third largest aircraft manufacturer, Embraer reported first quarter deliveries of 21 commercial aircraft — including 13 E-190s, six E-195s and two E-175s – up from 20 deliveries in the first quarter of 2011. Deliveries of business jets rose from eight to 13.