Lufthansa Chief Urges Embraer to Build Larger Jets as Third Rival to Airbus and Boeing

Overview

• Carsten Spohr said Embraer is strong enough to compete in bigger aircraft and publicly encouraged the Brazilian manufacturer to enter that segment during a visit to its São José dos Campos facilities.
• Embraer has acknowledged it is studying new products but has not committed to a model, with market chatter centering on a potential 150–200 seat narrowbody that remains unconfirmed.
• Spohr detailed capacity constraints, citing 41 Boeing aircraft missing last European summer, roughly 20 jets parked daily for lack of engines, and 23 routes left unserved as deliveries and powerplant supply lag.
• He noted Lufthansa updated software on more than 150 Airbus A320s within 36 hours following a recent recall, underscoring the industry’s production and maintenance bottlenecks.
• Lufthansa is weighing new Brazil destinations such as Fortaleza and Recife but does not expect launches before 2027, while pursuing consolidation after acquiring 41% of ITA Airways and assessing options involving TAP.