Embraer SA said another wave of 70-seater regional jet orders in the U.S. is on the horizon that will help bridge production to a new plane family due from 2018.

New U.S. orders could emerge in the next two to three years for the Brazilian plane maker’s E175 model, said Paulo César de Souza e Silva, who heads the commercial airplane unit.

“There is a huge need there to replace 50-seaters,” he said during a conference call from Brazil. He added that replacing aging 70-seat jets in the U.S. offers further sales opportunities.

“There might be 300 aircraft needed in the U.S. between 2015 and 2018/2019,” Mr. César said.