Embraer ERJ 135ER (c/n 145376, G-RJXL of BMI Regional), taxiing at Franz Josef Strauss Airport, Munich, October 2018.
Development of the Embraer ERJ (Embraer Regional Jet) aircraft family began in the late 1980s, with the ERJ 145 – an airliner for fifty passengers – being the first one from the series.
The aeroplane was based on the already existing, turboprop powered EMB 120 Brasilia. Developed in the early 1980, the EMB 120 had its roots in the so-called Family 12X series of Embraer aircraft from the 1970s that started with EMB 121 Xingu (more information about the aeroplane can be found in our article – Embraer EMB 121A Xingu).
The ERJ 145, in its general shape, was an extended variant of Brasilia, equipped with swept wings and powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 3007 turbofan engines, mounted at the rear section of the fuselage. Although initially the development of the ERJ family suffered from lack of financial resources, the loan of 600 million USD received from the Brazilian government in 1991, allowed the Embraer company to finalise the regional jet programme.
Not without significance was also the fact that the ERJ aircraft entered the market at the right moment. On 11th August 1995, prototype of the ERJ 145 performed its maiden flight. At that time, the Brazilian aviation manufacturer already received orders and offer enquiries for almost 150 examples of the aircraft.
The expected market demand was also a motivating factor to speed up the development of two shortened variants of the ERJ 145 – ERJ 140 for 44 passengers and ERJ 135 with 37 seats. Both airliners were introduced into the market in 1999.
In December of 1996, the first ERJ 145 was delivered to its customer, ExpressJet Airlines from the Continental Airlines group. In April of the next year, the new Embraer jet began its regular operations.
Majority of the ERJ family customers originated from both Americas, although some examples were also sold to Europe and Africa. Among the European airline operators of the ERJ jets there were LOT Polish Airlines, Loganair from Scotland and British Midland Regional Limited (marketed under several consecutive brands including BMI abbreviation). In addition, Belgium ordered two ERJ 145 and two 135 aircraft for government and VIP transport purposes.
The ERJ family also became a base for Embraer R-99 family of military jets. They were acquired by more than ten air forces in the world and used as maritime patrol aircraft, remote sensing aeroplane and as a platform for airborne early warning and control systems.
Serial production of the ERJ jets was continued until 2020, with more than 1,200 aircraft of all variants built. The ERJ 145 was also, although for a short time, manufactured under license in China, by Harbin Aircraft.
In the early 2000s, the ERJ jets were succeeded by the new Embraer airliners, the E-Jet family (more information in our article – Embraer 190LR).
The ERJ 135ER variant of the airliner, featured within our Photo of the Week series, is 3.54 metres shorter than the ERJ 145. Although marketed as the ER (Extended Range) version of the aircraft, it was the basic model of the shortest jet in the family. The ERJ aeroplanes that in fact featured the increased fuel capacity and upgraded AE 3307A1 engines – resulting in extended flight range – were branded as LR (Long Range) or XR (Extra-long Range).
That ER 135ER was manufactured in 2001 and initially operated by Jet Magic airline. Between 2004 and 2019, the aircraft belonged to the BMI Regional fleet, registered as G-RJXL. In the early 2019, it was taken over by Loganair and remained in operational service until 2022.
In March of 2023, the ER 135ER was acquired by Lorizon group from France which, through its aviation branches, offers business flights, sports charters, incentive and corporate flights. The aeroplane is currently registered as M-TATI.
