Brazilian aerospace company Embraer has set ambitious goals for fiscal year 2026 and looks back on a historically strong 2025. With a planned delivery target of up to 255 aircraft and a projected revenue increase to up to US$8,5 billion, the company is continuing its expansion. Despite global trade barriers, particularly the 10% US import tariffs, the manufacturer was able to increase its order backlog to a record US$31,6 billion.
The financial figures published on March 6, 2026, demonstrate robust demand in both the commercial regional jet and business jet segments. While operating profit last year was slightly below the previous year's level due to one-off effects and customs charges, the full order books signal long-term capacity utilization and a strengthening of the company's market position against international competitors.
Analysis of operational delivery targets for 2026
For the current calendar year, Embraer plans to increase deliveries to a total of 240 to 255 aircraft. These will be divided into 80 to 85 commercial airliners and 160 to 170 executive jets. Compared to the previous year, in which 244 aircraft left the factory, this represents a targeted increase of up to eleven aircraft. Management sees considerable potential, particularly in the business jet segment, with the differentiation between light and medium jets playing a key role. In 2025, of the 155 private jets delivered, 86 were light jets and 69 were medium jets.
In the commercial sector, last year's success was largely based on the proven E-Jet family. A total of 78 commercial aircraft were delivered, including 34 E175s, which continue to hold a dominant market position, particularly in the US regional market. The more modern E2 variants also gained momentum: six E190-E2s and 38 E195-E2s were delivered to customers worldwide. This distribution underscores the transition of fleet operators to the more efficient new generation, while the predecessor model continues to see stable demand from US regional carriers due to specific contractual clauses.
Financial performance and record sales
The economic data for 2025 underscores the growth trend. Embraer generated annual revenue of US$7,5 billion, representing an 18 percent increase compared to US$6,5 billion in 2024. This marks the highest annual revenue ever achieved in the company's history. The target range for 2026 is even higher, at US$8,2 to US$8,5 billion. The fourth quarter of 2025 contributed significantly to this result with US$2,6 billion, reflecting the traditionally high delivery volume at the end of the year.
In 2025, the company recorded adjusted operating profit (EBIT) of $656,8 million, a slight decrease from the previous year's $708,2 million. A significant negative factor was the US import tariffs, which reduced the full-year result by approximately $54 million. Since the 2026 forecast assumes these tariffs will remain at 10 percent, Embraer is already incorporating these costs into its strategic planning. Nevertheless, the return on sales demonstrates that the group is able to operate profitably despite protectionist measures.
Record order backlog as a guarantee for future stability
A key indicator of market confidence in Embraer's products is its order backlog. This reached a historic high of US$31,6 billion at the turn of the year 2025/2026. Year-on-year, this represents an increase of over 20 percent. This buffer provides the company with a high degree of planning certainty for the coming years and justifies investments in expanding production lines in Brazil and at international locations.
Diversifying the backlog plays a crucial role. In addition to civilian contracts, Embraer is increasingly benefiting from defense contracts, particularly for the C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, which has been successfully marketed to several NATO countries. The service and support division also makes a stable contribution to the order backlog, as more and more airlines are concluding long-term maintenance contracts directly with the manufacturer to guarantee the operational readiness of their fleets. This multi-pronged strategy reduces dependence on cyclical fluctuations in passenger traffic.
Challenges posed by global trade policy
However, the geopolitical environment remains complex. The aforementioned US import tariffs are particularly impacting the competitiveness of the executive jets produced in Brazil in their most important market. Embraer is addressing this pressure by increasing efficiency in its supply chain and strengthening its presence in other regions, such as the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. Furthermore, the company is utilizing the final assembly of certain models in the US to generate tariff advantages and maintain proximity to its customers.
Another focus is on addressing supply chain issues affecting the entire aerospace industry. Delays from engine manufacturers and avionics component suppliers have led to postponements in delivery dates in the past. Embraer has responded by increasing its inventory of critical components and intensifying collaboration with alternative suppliers. The target of up to 255 deliveries for 2026 assumes that these supply chains remain largely stable and that no new disruptive events affect global trade.
Looking ahead to the coming years, Embraer is positioning itself as a leading supplier in the segment below the large narrow-body aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. The E2 family occupies a niche that is currently largely unserved by the larger manufacturers, offering airlines the opportunity to profitably operate routes for which conventional medium-haul jets are too large. This flexibility is becoming increasingly valuable in a market environment characterized by fluctuating passenger numbers and decentralized network structures.