Embraer secured a letter of intent from KLM Cityhopper on Wednesday afternoon at the Paris Air Show, covering up to 35 E195-E2 jets and specifying a future firm order for 15 of the new narrowbodies and purchase rights on another 20. Embraer places the value of the preliminary contract at $2.48 billion at list prices.

KLM started the process of replacing its fleet of Fokkers with E-Jets in 2008. It now operates 32 E190s and 17 E175s.

Appearing with Embraer Commercial Aviation CEO John Slattery, KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers confirmed that deliveries would occur between 2021 and 2023. Featuring 30-percent more range than the E195, the E195-E2 would allow KLM Cityhopper still farther into southern Europe, although the airline currently has no plans to significantly alter its route structure, said Elbers. Plans call for a two-class interior configuration holding either 132 or 136 seats.

The larger airplanes fit well into KLM’s plans to address congestion at its Amsterdam Schiphol Airport base, said Elbers. KLM Cityhopper managing director Warner Rootliep said the airline operates some 350 flights a day out of Schiphol, or roughly one in five movements at the airport.