Embraer E175 Faces Production Challenges from GE CF34 Engine Shortages
Embraer is experiencing significant delays in producing its E175 regional jets due to supply issues with CF34 turbofan engines from GE Aerospace. This shortage is affecting production schedules and delivery timelines for customers. Concurrently, GE, along with its partner Safran, is addressing production issues with the CFM International Leap-1A turbofans impacting Airbus’s A320neo family of aircraft.
The CF34 Engine’s Role in Aviation
The CF34 engine family has been crucial since the early 1980s, powering various regional jets, including Bombardier’s CRJ series and Embraer’s first-generation E-Jets. It is the only engine option for the Embraer E175, which currently has over 200 units on backorder.
Production Impact on First Generation E-Jets
Embraer’s first-generation E170/175 and E190/195 aircraft rely heavily on the CF34 engine. More than 1,700 of these aircraft have been delivered, with the E170/175 using the CF34-8E variant while the E190/195 uses the larger CF34-10E. The newer E2 jets utilize Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines, so current issues solely affect first-generation models.
The demand for the E175 remains strong among US regional airlines due to pilot contract conditions that prevent the operation of the heavier E175-E2 model. Orders remain robust, with 208 units still pending by the end of Q2 2025.
Statement from Embraer CEO
Francisco Gomes Neto, Embraer’s CEO, indicated that the company plans to deliver up to 30 E175s in the current year, but these targets are at risk due to the engine shortages. “This year it has been a big issue for us. GE is not delivering what we need, they are delivering late. And the bottlenecks are changing from one part [of the supply chain] to another,” Gomes Neto stated.
A Historical Perspective on the CF34
The CF34 engine, derived from the GE TF34 used in the A-10 Thunderbolt, has powered many regional aircraft since its introduction. Over 7,500 engines operate today, amassing more than 210 million flight hours and 165 million flight cycles.
| CF34 Engine Variants | Application | Length | Diameter | Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CF34-3 | CRJ200 | 103 in (2.6 m) | 49 in (1.2 m) | 9,220 lbf (41.0 kN) |
| CF34-8C | CRJ700/900/1000 | 128 in (3.3 m) | 52 in (1.3 m) | 13,790 lbf (61.3 kN) |
| CF34-8E | E170/175 | 121 in (3.1 m) | 53 in (1.3 m) | 14,500 lbf (64 kN) |
| CF34-10A | C909 | 90 in (2.3 m) | 57 in (1.4 m) | 17,640 lbf (78.5 kN) |
| CF34-10E | E190/195 | 145 in (3.7 m) | 57 in (1.4 m) | 20,360 lbf (90.6 kN) |
Despite industry-wide supply chain challenges, Embraer reports improvement with P&W engines, with GE commenting, “Embraer is a highly valued customer, and we are working hard to meet their engine needs.”
Significance of the CF34 Engine to Embraer
The CF34 remains integral for Embraer, with significant orders for the E175 still in place. At the end of Q2 2025, the E175 accounted for nearly half of Embraer’s order book, primarily from US airlines constrained by regional contract limitations.
| Airline | Country | Firm Order |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | United States | 90 |
| SkyWest | United States | 74 |
| Republic Airways | United States | 35 |
| Alaska Airlines | United States | 3 |
| Undisclosed | – | 3 |
| Air Peace | Nigeria | 2 |
| Overland Airways | Nigeria | 1 |
| Total | – | 208 |
American Airlines is the largest customer, with outstanding orders from its subsidiaries, Piedmont Airlines and Envoy Air, seeking to expand their fleet significantly. In addition, SkyWest Airlines has placed a substantial order with future deliveries set to replace older models for Delta Connection.
