Brazil’s Embraer jet maker says its first-quarter profits rose 8.4 percent amid strong global demand for its mid-size passenger planes and new executive jets.

Empresa Brasiliera Aeronatica SA says earnings for the quarter ending March 31 were 63.4 million reals (US$37.3 million, euro24 million), up from 58.5 million reals (US$34.4 million, euro22.2 million) in the same period last year.

On a per share basis, profits were 0.09 reals (US$0.05, euro.03), up from 0.08 reals (US$0.05, euro.03) in the year-ago period.

A Tuesday statement from the company says sales jumped 24 percent to 2.3 billion reals (US$1.4 billion, euro900 million), while backlogged orders increased 8 percent over the same quarter last year.