=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SF Gate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2002/06/10/f= inancial1457EDT0140.DTL ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Monday, June 10, 2002 (AP) Embraer sells 22 jets to Chautauqua Airlines, options on 30 more planes (06-10) 11:57 PDT SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Brazilian regional jetmaker Embraer sold 22 jets worth $350 million to Chautauqua Airlines. The U.S. carrier also took out an option for 30 more planes. Chautauqua ordered 15 38-seat ERJ 135 planes and seven 50-seat ERJ 145 aircraft, to be delivered starting in the last quarter of this year, an Embraer statement Monday said. Deliveries will continue throughout 2003. The additional 30 options were for either type of aircraft, bringing the total deal -- if all are converted into firm orders -- to $900 million. The purchase results from a new agreement between Chautauqua Airlines and Delta Airlines to strengthen the latter's presence in Florida, the statement said. Chautauqua Airlines, owned by Wexford Capital LLC of Greenwich, Conn., runs scheduled passenger services among 42 cities in 18 U.S. states and Canada through codesharing agreements with three major U.S. airlines. It currently operates a fleet of 50 Embraer jets and employs more than 1,300 people. Embraer, Brazil's largest exporter since 1999, is the world's fourth largest jet producer. As of March 31, its backlog for firm orders amounted to $10.3 billion and $12.7 billion in options. =20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2002 AP