Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace group, is making big strides towards joining the front rank of the world’s leading private jet makers.

The grant last month of type certification for the Embraer Phenom 100 by Easa, the European aviation safety agency, has paved the way for the introduction of the Brazilian very light jet into European operations for the first time. It will enter use in air taxi operations being offered by start-up Jetbird.