SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, June 18 (Reuters) -

B razilian planemaker Embraer ( ERJ ) is confident in reaching its goal

to deliver 72 to 80 commercial aircraft this year and could

deliver up to 90 of its E-Jets to airlines next year, its chief

executive told Reuters on Tuesday.

Embraer ( ERJ ) last year delivered 64 commercial jets, just below

its target of 65 to 70 aircraft, as supply chain issues took

their toll on the industry.

For 2024 "we are reaching the (projected) range, and want to

get closer to its top," CEO Francisco Gomes Neto said in an

interview at the company's headquarters east of Sao Paulo.

Embraer ( ERJ ) is looking to produce around 80 to 90 commercial

aircraft next year and expects to return to the level of 100

jets a year by 2026 at the latest, Gomes Neto said, noting that

the firm still had no official guidance on that front.

The company has ongoing sales campaigns for around 200

E-Jets, potentially more, and is optimistic about the prospects

of introducing the next-generation E2 jets in the U.S. market,

where it is in talks with local airlines.

"We have campaigns in South America, several in Europe,

several in Asia. Very good momentum," Gomes Neto said, also

noting ongoing talks in Brazil with Gol and LATAM Airlines.

Gomes Neto noted that

supply chain issues

that have been affecting the industry should improve next

year but may not return to around the normal baseline until 2026

"Engines are still a challenge," he said. "Deliveries

are increasing if you compare to previous years. We are getting

more engines, which is positive, but not enough for our needs.

So that limits us a little, and they are arriving with some

delay."