Embraer Secures Full Ownership of EZ Air Interior Facility

Embraer Consolidates Production Control

Embraer has officially finalized the acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in its EZ Air Interior joint venture from Safran Cabin, securing 100% ownership of the critical interior components facility. This move marks a significant shift in the Embraer supply chain integration strategy, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) seeks to tighten oversight of its production ecosystem. The deal, announced on July 1, 2026, follows a 14-year partnership between the two aerospace entities that began in 2012.

By absorbing the Chihuahua, Mexico-based facility, Embraer gains direct control over the manufacturing of essential E-Jet cabin components, including luggage bins, galleys, lavatories, and floor panels. This transition is expected to mitigate supply chain volatility as the company prepares for a projected production ramp-up. Embraer currently maintains a firm order backlog valued at $32.1 billion as of the first quarter of 2026, necessitating a robust and predictable flow of interior parts.

Strategic Vertical Integration

The decision to buy out the Safran Cabin divestment reflects a broader industry trend toward vertical integration in aerospace. As OEMs face ongoing global supply chain bottlenecks, acquiring critical suppliers allows manufacturers to safeguard production rates and maintain quality control. Embraer has publicly stated its ambition to increase E-Jet production to approximately 100 aircraft per year by the 2027-2028 timeframe. Absolute control over the Chihuahua aerospace manufacturing stream is viewed as a prerequisite for achieving these output targets.

Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, emphasized the strategic nature of the buyout. "Embraer is continuously evaluating opportunities to create value for its stakeholders, and this agreement supports our strategy to expand operations in both the short and long term," Neto said in a company statement. He further noted that the integration of the facility and its workforce into the Embraer structure would provide greater operational agility.

Historical Context and Precedents

This acquisition mirrors similar consolidation moves within the aerospace sector. In June 2019, Boeing acquired the EnCore Group, an interior completions company, to bring production of cabin interiors in-house. That precedent demonstrated the efficacy of vertical integration in controlling costs and production timelines. Like the Boeing-EnCore transaction, Embraer’s takeover of the aerospace joint venture buyout is designed to stabilize the supply chain for complex cabin interiors, which are often subject to delays that can impact final aircraft delivery schedules.

Operational Impact on Workforce and Partners

For the workforce at the Chihuahua facility and the associated operations in Jacareí, Brazil, the transition involves moving from a joint venture structure to direct employment under Embraer. While the operational management changes, the facility's focus remains dedicated to supporting the E-Jet program. Meanwhile, Safran Cabin will retain its non-Embraer engineering services in Brazil, allowing the supplier to refocus its resources on a broader global portfolio. The transaction successfully cleared all necessary antitrust and civil aviation regulatory approvals prior to its completion.

Why This Matters for Embraer Production

This development signals a shift in how Embraer manages its tier-one supplier relationships. By internalizing the production of cabin interiors, the OEM reduces dependency on external partners for long-lead-time items. This control is vital for meeting the aggressive delivery schedules required by its growing backlog. For the aviation industry, the move highlights the increasing importance of supply chain ownership as a competitive advantage in an era of high demand and constrained production capacity.