Regional leasing specialist TrueNoord places 1st direct OEM order with Embraer for 20 E195-E2
October 14, 2025
TrueNoord has signed its first-ever direct purchase agreement with an aircraft manufacturer, placing a firm order for 20 Embraer E195-E2 jets valued at $1.8 billion at list price.
The Amsterdam-based regional aircraft leasing specialist also secured purchase rights for up to 30 additional aircraft, including 20 more E195-E2s and 10 E175-E1s, marking an expansion of its fleet and deepening its partnership with Embraer.
TrueNoord’s Embraer E195-E2 order marks milestone in regional leasing
Chief Executive Anne-Bart Tieleman described the deal as a turning point in TrueNoord’s development as a global leasing platform.
“This landmark agreement represents TrueNoord’s first direct order with an aircraft manufacturer – a milestone in the company’s journey,” he says. “It marks an important stepping stone in our continued growth as a global leasing platform, underlining our commitment to investing in next-generation, fuel-efficient regional jets.”
“The Embraer E-Jets combine efficiency, flexibility and performance, making them ideally suited to TrueNoord’s customers around the world,” Tieleman continues. “Partnering with Embraer allows the business to further strengthen its offering and support airlines with aircraft that deliver superior economics and environmental benefits.”
The order follows a period of steady fleet growth for TrueNoord, which now manages more than 100 modern turboprop, regional jet and crossover aircraft leased to over 30 operators across 24 countries. Its aircraft typically link regional and remote destinations to larger hubs, providing crucial connectivity and off-peak capacity for airlines.
Embraer E2 programme gains new lessor momentum with TrueNoord agreement
For Embraer Commercial Aviation, the deal adds another lessor to its growing list of E-Jet E2 customers, reflecting rising confidence in the Brazilian manufacturer’s latest-generation narrowbodies.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, called the agreement a strong signal of market confidence.
“This first direct order from TrueNoord is a strong endorsement of the E2 family’s capabilities and success in the market, and a testament to the trust and collaboration between our teams,” Meijer says. “The E195-E2 delivers exceptional performance and efficiency, making it the ideal choice for lessors and operators looking to future-proof their fleets.”
“This agreement also sends a strong signal to the market,” Meijer adds, “reinforcing the momentum behind next-generation small narrowbody aircraft and the growing demand for sustainable, right-sized aircraft.”
Embraer markets the E195-E2 as the most efficient single-aisle jet in its class, featuring new Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, improved aerodynamics, and reduced noise and fuel burn compared with previous E-Jets. The model seats up to 146 passengers and has proven especially popular among airlines replacing older 100-150-seat types such as the E190, CRJ1000 and early A318/319s.
Fuel-efficient Embraer E-Jets boost TrueNoord’s global regional fleet
TrueNoord’s decision to buy direct from the OEM signals its ambition to play a larger role in regional fleet renewal. Historically, the lessor has acquired aircraft through sale-and-leaseback transactions or secondary market deals, but direct ordering positions it to deliver new aircraft to customers more quickly and tailor delivery schedules to market demand.
The company’s investors include Freshstream, BlackRock, and Patria Investments, providing the capital depth to expand its footprint in both mature and emerging regional markets. With offices in Amsterdam, Dublin, London and Singapore, TrueNoord’s multi-regional base reflects the global nature of its leasing activity.
For Embraer, the agreement adds further momentum to the E2 programme, which has now logged orders and commitments from major lessors including Azorra, Aercap, and Aircastle, as airlines increasingly seek smaller, more fuel-efficient jets to balance capacity with sustainability goals.
