Embraer profits up on new orders

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Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer has reported a jump in profits at the end of last year, helped by an increase in orders and greater efficiency.

Fourth-quarter net profit was $200.9m (129m euros; Â£99m) in the last three months of 2007, compared with $124.4m in the same quarter a year earlier.

The firm is the world's fourth-largest commercial jet maker, and is the top maker of jets with up to 120 seats.

Embraer's sales have picked up again after a number of stagnant years.

According to Embraer, sales totalled $1.88bn in the fourth quarter of 2007, up from $1.06bn a year earlier.

Sales for the whole of 2007 hit $5.25bn, compared with $3.76bn in 2006.

Embraer's new clients include Lufthansa, Air France/KLM, Japan's JAL and Virgin Nigeria.

To meet the extra demand, the company took on new workers and added an extra production shifts.

Embraer said it planned to deliver between 195 and 200 planes in 2008.