Embraer has signed a deal with Italian flag-carrier Alitalia for the delivery 20 jets through a lease structure to be arranged by third parties.

A total of 15 Embraer 175 and 5 Embraer 190 jets are included in the terms of the arrangement.

“Benefiting from a strong reorganization, Alitalia is developing its regional network to meet new market and passengers requirements,” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer president.

“We are very pleased with the renewed confidence that Alitalia has accorded to our E-Jets family.

“This proves that the flexibility and the operational performance of these aircraft are able to meet market requirements.”

The delivery of the new E-Jets is scheduled to begin in the third quarter 2011.

The 20 new aircraft will progressively replace and enhance Alitalia’s existing fleet of 16 regional aircraft, contributing to develop its ability to provide direct links over short and medium haul destinations, without the need for stopovers, consistent with the evolution of market demand.

Moreover, lowering the average age of Alitalia’s fleet, already one of the youngest in Europe, the new E-Jets will increase the efficiency levels of the Italian airline, from economic and environmental perspectives, by reducing fuel consumption.

“The choice of the Embraer E-Jets has been the result of a thorough analysis which involved not only all the main professional groups of Alitalia, but using an innovative method, also a sample of frequent flyer customers,” said Rocco Sabelli, chief executive of Alitalia.