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Embraer fully acquires Mexico-based EZ Air Interiors, expands Brazilian manufacturing assets
Embraer has completed the purchase of Safran's 50% stake in EZ Air Interior and acquired engineering and manufacturing operations in Jacarei, Brazil.
The gist
Embraer now wholly owns Mexican cabin interiors firm EZ Air and expands Brazilian engineering footprint.
Continuing coverage
All Safran →Embraer has finalized its acquisition of the remaining 50% share of EZ Air Interior from Safran, taking full ownership of the Mexican cabin-component manufacturer. This move strengthens Embraer's vertical integration on the cabin products for its E-Jet family. EZ Air, based in Chihuahua, Mexico, produces a range of aircraft interior elements including galleys, lavatories, flooring, and overhead bins specifically designed for Embraer's E-Jet commercial jets.
In addition to acquiring Safran’s stake in EZ Air, Embraer has secured certain engineering and manufacturing assets located in Jacarei, Brazil. These assets are dedicated to work on the E-Jet program, further consolidating Embraer’s in-house production capabilities. However, Safran retains Brazilian engineering activities that are not related to Embraer’s aircraft, maintaining its other aerospace business segments.
The acquisition aligns with Embraer’s ongoing strategy to expand and optimize its operations across the Americas. Francisco Gomes Neto, Embraer’s CEO, characterized the transaction as a strategic move to broaden the company’s manufacturing and engineering footprint. Taking full control of EZ Air enables Embraer to enhance supply chain integration and improve customization of cabin interiors for its regional jet family.
EZ Air was originally established in 2012 as a joint venture between Embraer and Zodiac Aerospace with the explicit purpose of supplying cabin interior components to Embraer’s E-Jet series. In 2018, Safran acquired Zodiac Aerospace, assuming its 50% stake in EZ Air. Embraer’s latest move to acquire Safran’s share reunifies the ownership and operational control fully under Embraer’s corporate umbrella.
The E-Jet family, which includes models like the E175 and E190, represents a significant portion of Embraer’s commercial aircraft sales and operations. Cabin interiors such as galley units and lavatories are critical to the customer experience on these regional jets. By consolidating EZ Air, Embraer gains more direct oversight over production timelines and component quality, which can contribute to better aircraft delivery schedules and customer satisfaction.
For Embraer, having dedicated manufacturing capacity both in Mexico and Brazil allows for distributed production that can help manage costs and provide logistical advantages. The Chihuahua facility leverages Mexico’s aerospace manufacturing base, while Jacarei remains a key site in Brazil for engineering and production aligned with Embraer’s primary operations.
Safran’s decision to divest its stake in EZ Air and transfer specific engineering and production assets to Embraer reflects a narrowing of its focus away from Embraer-only product lines. Despite the divestment, Safran continues to maintain complementary aerospace engineering businesses in Brazil unrelated to Embraer, preserving its presence in the region.
This acquisition exemplifies the broader trend among airframers to internalize more aircraft component manufacturing to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers and to streamline design-to-production processes. For Embraer, taking full ownership of EZ Air solidifies control over a vital segment of its supply chain, which will continue to support the E-Jet program’s market presence in regional air transport.
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