Russian-based S7 Airlines signed an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services to lease 17 E170 pre-owned jets just weeks after Embraer received type certificates from Russian authorities for the E170 and E175 jets.

The transaction will not impact Embraer’s order backlog and S7 will begin receiving the aircraft in the first half of 2017.

“Once again, GECAS joins Embraer to provide aircraft to the Russian market,” said Arjan Meijer, chief commercial officer of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “We welcome S7 Airlines to the growing E-Jets operators’ family. We are delighted to see the E170 in operation with one of the largest Russian Airlines, supporting the airline as it spreads its wings around Russia. S7 is now the carrier with the largest network outside Moscow serving regional and intra-regional markets.”

“New E170s will allow us to gain momentum in the development of regional air transportation,” said Vladimir Obyedkov, CEO of S7 Airlines. “We see this segment as highly potential. The first Embraers will be based at the Novosibirsk Tolmachevo airport which is located well enough to serve as an efficient hub for other regions. The new type of airliners will allow us to launch flights from small and hard to reach cities, where the use of medium-haul aircrafts is impossible.”

“The introduction of the E170 into the S7 fleet is the result of our thorough analysis of the airline’s growing needs”, said Alec Burger, GECAS president and CEO. “The E170 offers strong economics and is well-suited to help S7 serve the Russian markets.”