Embraer To Sell 20 Jets To Argentina's Austral

Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer closed a deal for the sale of 20 jets to Argentina's Austral Linea Aereas, the company said Thursday, even as the aviation industry struggles amid the global financial crisis.

The beginning of the delivery of the Embraer 190 jets is expected in the first half of 2010, the company said in a statement.

"We hope to establish a long-term relationship with this important airline," Mauro Kern, executive vice president of airline market at Embraer, said in the statement.

Embraer's first-quarter profit sank 75 percent, the company said in late April.

Embraer CEO Frederico Curado said earlier this month a recovery of the commercial jet market was unlikely before 2011.