Brazil’s Embraer Delivered 37 Jets In Fourth Quarter of 2006

Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer said late on Monday it had delivered 37 jetliners in the fourth quarter, bringing total aircraft deliveries for 2006 to 130.

Embraer, the world’s fourth-largest commercial jet maker, had initially predicted it would deliver 145 aircraft in 2006. But in October it lowered its forecast to 135 because of production delays.

Embraer said five aircraft with original delivery planned for 2006 will be ready by the end of this month, boosting the company’s 2007 forecast to 170 aircraft from 165 previously.

In 2005 the company delivered 141 aircraft. The aircraft maker’s firm order backlog rose 11.3 percent in the fourth quarter from the third quarter to a record $14.8 billion.