Embraer’s E195-E2, E190F and KC-390 Take Centre Stage in Dubai

Our Bureau - : Nov 17, 2025 - : 7:06 am

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Embraer is returning to the Dubai Airshow with the kind of confidence that comes from a company enjoying a sustained run of good form. Its line-up this year is unmistakably bolder, more ambitious, and reflective of how far the Brazilian manufacturer has travelled in both commercial and military aviation.
Taking pride of place at Chalet A63-64 will be three aircraft that together illustrate the breadth of Embraer’s ambitions: the newly repainted KC-390 Millennium demonstrator, the fuel-efficient E195-E2, and the E190F freighter conversion that marks Embraer’s push deeper into the cargo market.
For the company, Dubai is more than another trade show. The Middle East is fast emerging as one of its most important growth regions, and this year’s presence is clearly designed to underline that message.

Focus of Attention
The aircraft attracting the most attention even before the Airshow opens is the KC-390 Millennium, making its Dubai debut with a striking new paint scheme. The livery is not merely cosmetic; it represents what senior executives describe as a renewed phase in the programme’s evolution as Embraer intensifies its efforts to position the KC-390 as a modern, versatile alternative in the global tactical airlift market.
“This new visual identity represents an important milestone in the history of the KC-390 Millennium,” said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security. “Its combination of speed, agility, robustness, reliability, and efficiency strengthens the defence capabilities of its operators and promotes strategic interoperability among allied nations.”
The KC-390 has earned a reputation for being an exceptionally tough and adaptable platform. Built to operate from semi-prepared runways and withstand extremes ranging from desert heat to Antarctic cold, it is designed for almost any mission a military operator might require — troop and cargo transport, aerial refuelling, humanitarian relief, medical evacuation and even firefighting. With two IAE V2500-E5 engines providing the power to carry up to 26 tonnes of cargo or 80 personnel at speeds above 500 knots, the aircraft has the performance to fill both tactical and strategic roles.
Embraer has already secured orders from Portugal, Hungary and the Netherlands, and has held advanced discussions with India, Poland and several other nations. Its appearance in Dubai is likely to spark further interest across the wider Middle East and North Africa, regions where fleets of ageing airlifters are due for replacement and where demand for medium-lift aircraft is set to rise sharply over the next decade.

E195-E2: Steady Momentum
On the civil side, Embraer’s commercial highlight is the E195-E2 — the newest and largest member of the company’s E2 family. With its aerodynamic upgrades, next-generation avionics and fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines, the E195-E2 has been winning favour among airlines looking for an economical aircraft in the sub-150-seat category.
Carriers in Europe, Asia and the Americas have been adding the type to their fleets, drawn by the double-digit reductions in fuel burn and emissions compared with older regional jets. The aircraft’s performance, particularly on short and medium-haul routes, continues to strengthen Embraer’s foothold in a highly competitive segment traditionally dominated by larger manufacturers.

E190F: Ideal for the Region
Completing Embraer’s trio is the E190F, a passenger-to-freighter conversion of the first-generation E-Jet. As e-commerce continues to reshape logistics networks, airlines and dedicated cargo operators are increasingly seeking smaller freighters that can fly point-to-point more efficiently than larger narrowbodies.
The E190F is designed precisely for that niche. Able to carry nearly 14 tonnes of payload, it gives operators a cost-effective alternative to ageing turboprop freighters or older converted jets. Its ability to operate from shorter or less-developed runways makes it particularly well-suited to markets that rely on regional connectivity, including parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

Eve Eyes the Future
The Embraer chalet will also host Eve Air Mobility, the company’s venture into the emerging world of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Eve recently signed a framework agreement with Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications to pave the way for future air taxi services.
That partnership is expected to support testing environments, vertiport planning, fleet operations and training — all crucial foundations for an eventual regional eVTOL network. Eve anticipates launching commercial services in 2028, with cross-border routes expected the following year. The company is also evaluating premium shuttle and tourism operations across the Gulf, including routes in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha.

Embraer / Dubai-airshow-2025 /

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