Virgin Nigeria Airlines has signed a deal to buy eight Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A (EMBRAER) 170 and two EMBRAER 190 aircraft, all said to be advanced range versions.

In a statement from EMBRAER, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 120 seats, and one of Brazil’s leading exporters, the deal includes options for another six EMBRAER 190 and purchase rights for eight EMBRAER 190 or EMBRAER 195 jets.

The value of the order, at list price, was put at $ 301 million, based on January 2007 economic conditions, and could come to $ 800 million, if all six EMBRAER 190 options and purchase rights for eight EMBRAER 195 are confirmed. "Virgin Nigeria’s choice of the EMBRAER 170 and the EMBRAER 190 is a strategic breakthrough in this promising Sub-Saharan African market," said Mauro Kern, Embraer.

Executive Vice President, Airline Market. "We are extremely pleased by Virgin Nigeria’s decision to select Embraer aircraft and are sure that our E-Jets will provide the airline with the right tools for increased success.