KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol) has firmed the order for E195-E2s announced during the 2019 Paris Air Show, at the same time increasing its size by converting six purchase rights.

The contract now covers twenty-one firm-ordered regional jets and a further fourteen purchase rights.

"For KLM this aircraft is a significant part of our commitment to improving our environmental impact. Not only is the E195-E2 the most fuel-efficient lowest emission aircraft in its class, it is also the quietest by a considerable margin - a huge benefit for both our communities and our passengers," KLM Chief Executive Pieter Elbers said.

All E195-E2s will be operated by KLM cityhopper (WA, Amsterdam Schiphol) in a 132-seat configuration. Deliveries are due to commence in the first quarter of 2021 and the twenty-one firm ordered aircraft will come from Aircastle (eleven) and ICBC Financial Leasing (ten) and sourced from their order books with Embraer (EMB, Sao Jose dos Campos).

KLM cityhopper currently operates seventeen E175s (2.4 years old on average) and thirty-two E190s (8 years), the ch-aviation fleets module shows. The airline is replacing the E1 jets with newer equipment partially as a means to increase capacity given the strict cap on the number of movements permitted at Amsterdam Schiphol, which makes adding new frequencies virtually impossible.