We observe this market as we have always done

Confronted as others to a melting of its order book, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer quickly announced drastic measures. Starting with a reduction of 20 of the workforce is the equivalent of 4,000 jobs brought last February. In an interview with the "Echos", his boss Frederico Curado explains that he foresees no recovery before 2011 and that this crisis will have lasting effects on him.

What is your strategy the crisis

All manufacturers were affected by the reduction of the commands, without exception. We conducted our capacity adjustment. We have reduced our spending and our investments. Unfortunately, we had to reduce our workforce to adapt to the new reality of the market. The situation is bad, but we do not believe it will deteriorate further. We will continue to pass through a difficult phase and in 2011 the market should start to rise. According to our perception, 2009 and 2010 will be bad years. However, we are already adapted to this new situation.

Can China help you bounce back

China is one of the elements of this array. Harbin Embraer the joint company between Embraer and Avic II had a contract with the Grand China Express Company for the delivery of 50 Embraer 145 aircraft, which was reduced by half.

In addition, Embraer has another contract with the company Kumpeng on 50 Embraer 190 aircraft. We have already delivered 5 and 45 other depend on the approval and the issuance of the licence for imports by the Chinese Government...

Is there a link with the crisis

Perhaps, to slightly adjust the increase in the fleet as long as the request did not increase. But China has a growing trade relationship with the Brazil, and we hope that these barriers will be lifted.

Where is it new programs, such as the KC-390 military transport aircraft or a version extended of the Embraer 190-195 project

The contract for the transport aircraft is already signed with the Brazilian armed forces. It is a 1.3 billion (EUR 915 million) contract, and we hope enjoy other contracts of sales to the Brazil and outside. There is a potential for export. However, there is nothing in far greater than the Embraer 190 aircraft. We have just market research. We observe this market as we have always done. But we have taken no decision to launch a larger product.

In the past, Embraer has been the partner of Dassault fighter aircraft to the Brazil. What will be your attitude in the solicitation of the Brazilian Army, in which participates Dassault

Our position in the FX2 tendering is quite different from that we had had in the previous. The FX1, we were partners of Dassault and we together offer Mirage 2000 in competition with other manufacturers. At present, we do we involve not directly in the tender process, leaving the Brazilian Government flexibility to choose the device they want. However, we can benefit from technology transfer, and the winner of the selection should work with Embraer... We have the skills to integrate technology chosen between the Brazil and the manufacturer.

Moreover, the issue of the Assembly of the aircraft is not resolved. It is an option that the Brazilian Government might take. In this case, Embraer would be certainly interested. But there is no obligation in the sense for the time being.