Embraer supports private jet transport of Covid-19 vaccines

Brazilian-based business jet manufacturer Embraer is helping to fight the worldwide Covid-19 global pandemic by releasing technical information about how its aircraft can be used to transport vaccines.

A growing number of Embraer operators are considering using the manufacturer’s jets to transport the vital vaccines as global demand grows, according to the company.

“Embraer is deeply engaged in the fight against Covid-19, providing technical information to customers in many segments, always with the main goal of supporting and enhancing our customers’ operations,” said Sérgio Cunha, vice president, Embraer Technical Services & Product Support. “This technical information will help customers to develop their procedures in order to carry a large amount of Covid-19 vaccines.”

Highlighting the worldwide distribution of its aircraft, Embraer said more than 1,400 of its business jets are operating in over 70 countries. In order to assist the transport of vaccines on its business jets, Embraer has carried out tests to define the payload and transport requirements for each of its aircraft types.

1,400 of its business jets

The vaccines typically require storage at low temperatures, which is achieved by using dry ice. Documents have now been released for all Embraer business jets models: Phenom 100 and Phenom 100EV, Phenom 300 and Phenom 300E, Legacy 450 and Legacy 500, Praetor 500 and Praetor 600, Legacy 600, Legacy 650 and Legacy 650E, and Lineage 1000 and the Lineage 1000E.

This initiative follows the release of similar details for commercial aircraft customers in December 2020.

The manufacturer also released guidance to apply UV-C lights for cockpit sanitization, as well as disinfectants and coatings for the aircraft interiors. To protect cabins, Embraer has approved the use of MicroShield360 and Bacoban as long-lasting preventive coating systems that inhibit the growth of microorganisms, viruses and bacteria.

Standard on all Praetor aircraft

In addition, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which capture 99.97% of airborne particles and other biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, are available on Embraer business jets. HEPA filters are fitted as standard on all Praetor aircraft. “The combination of these new features, with the existing cabin environment technologies, equates to a higher level of protection for passengers,” said the company.

Embraer has its headquarters in São José dos Campos in the south east of Brazil.

Meanwhile, Brazil has the second highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases totalling 13.10m, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The US is ranked highest with 30.54m cases. Total confirmed cases worldwide number 132.49m, with 2.88m deaths reported to the WHO.

Covid-19 protection on a plane: HEPA filters are fitted as standard on all Praetor aircraft, said Embraer.