Industry Embraer installs HEPA filters on ERJ 145 jets

With the aim to support solutions that decrease the potential transmissions of viruses on board of aircraft, Embraer has now decided to install HEPA filters on the ERJ 145 regional jets, which can seat up to 50 passengers.

Recently, the manufacturer released a new Service Bulletin that allows operators of the aircraft to install the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Currently, Embraer is working on manufacturing the first kits for 70 aircraft. Deliveries of the filters are expected by mid-December.

Johann Bordais, President and CEO of Embraer Services & Support commented: “At Embraer, we are always focused on our customer, on how to better support them and how to further improve our products. Given the moment we are living, developing a HEPA filter service bulletin for the ERJ 145 is a must-have solution Embraer developed for making cabin conditions even safer for passengers.”

To develop this solution, Embraer´s development team needed five and a half months and the manufacturer stated, that the selected filters went through all necessary steps to create the service bulletin. Very soon, Embraer announced, the filters will become available for the ERJ 135 and ERJ 140 aircraft types as well.

HEPA filters are normally standard in more modern Embraer aircraft like the E-Jets and E-Jets E2 families. The filters are very efficient by capturing 99.97% of all airborne particles and other biological contaminants like viruses or bacteria.

The technology of filtering the air onboard is also available on Embraer Executive Jets, the manufacturer stated. HEPA filters are now standard on both the Praetor 500 and Praetor 600 business jet.

"Earlier this year, Embraer also approved the use of MicroShield360, a preventive coating system that, when applied to aircraft cabin surfaces, continuously inhibits the growth of microbes. The combination of these new features, with the existing cabin environment technologies, equates to a higher level of protection for passenger," Embraer concluded.