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Gol, LATAM in sophisticated talks to include Embraer planes, states BNDES head

Gol and LATAM Airlines are in sophisticated talks to add Embraer aircraft to their fleets, the head of Brazil's state advancement bank BNDES stated on Friday, as the nation urges them to purchase airplanes from the local maker.

Gol and the regional system of Chile-based LATAM are 2 of Brazil's biggest providers, dominating the country's airline company market along with Azul. However, unlike Azul, they do not fly Embraer jets.

They are already well advanced in these talks, BNDES head Aloizio Mercadante told press reporters on the sidelines of an occasion at Embraer's headquarters, where the bank announced funding to some of the firm's airplane exports.

Undoubtedly there is a business secrecy, we can not enter into details, but the companies are well advanced in the prospect of flying Embraer.

Gol did not right away react to an ask for remark, while LATAM declined to comment.

Embraer's chief executive Francisco Gomes Neto exposed in an interview with last month the planemaker was in talks with Gol and LATAM.

Gol's fleet is comprised completely of Boeing 737 planes, while LATAM's fleet of single-aisle airplane is comprised of Airbus aircraft and it also flies Boeing widebodies.

Global carriers have actually been dealing with extended delivery deadlines from Boeing and Plane, limiting their ability to include capacity and providing Embraer's smaller airplane a push as the Brazilian firm has production slots available from 2026.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's government has likewise been pressing LATAM and Gol to add Embraer aircrafts to their fleets as a method to increase local aviation in the country and enhance the local producer.

Just 12% of Brazil's industrial aircraft fleet is comprised of Embraer planes, according to the federal government.

Mercadante said getting the carriers to purchase Embraer airplane may be a federal government requirement to support them economically, as BNDES and the financing ministry talk about a package to aid airlines still struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gol applied for personal bankruptcy security in the United States earlier this year, while LATAM came out of personal bankruptcy proceedings with an $8 billion reorganization plan in late 2022. Azul had to conclude a broad financial obligation restructuring last year.

(source: Reuters)