Airlink and Azorra have finalized a leasing agreement that will allow the Johannesburg-based airline to acquire 10 new Embraer E195-E2 twin-engine passenger jets, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.
This follows the previously announced selection of the E195-E2s by Airlink, South Africa’s leading full-service airline.
Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based leasing, finance, and asset management company, will supply the new-build aircraft, which will expand Airlink’s current fleet of 68 aircraft.
Deliveries of the 10 E195-E2s from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil will begin later this year and be completed by 2027. Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001.
The new aircraft, which will accommodate up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin configuration, will provide Airlink with additional capacity to improve its competitiveness on high-density routes, and its additional range will create opportunities to open new routes to serve more destinations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Airlink will realize additional savings thanks to the high degree of commonality in operation, maintenance, training, and equipment between its current E-Jets and the new E2s, including similar flight decks, operating procedures, and handling. This will also ensure an optimized entry into service.
Airlink CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht says: “It is an exciting and challenging time for Airlink. Exciting because it heralds the next phase of Airlink’s development and growth as the leading regional airline in Southern Africa and possibly beyond. Daunting as there is much to do in the coming weeks before the first aircraft enters service, hopefully in December this year, but I have no doubt the Airlink team will deliver, as they always do.».
John Evans, CEO of Azorra, says: “This is a major step forward in our collaboration with Airlink. The addition of the E195-E2 to its fleet demonstrates our shared commitment to operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and increased capacity and service. We are proud to collaborate with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to bring state-of-the-art aircraft to Airlink, driving improved connectivity across Africa.».
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, says: “We are proud to deepen our long-standing collaboration with Airlink, which is taking this next step into the future with the E195-E2. This aircraft is the most efficient single-aisle aircraft in its class and perfectly fits Airlink’s ambitious growth plans in Southern Africa. We look forward to seeing the E2 in the Airlink livery, offering unmatched performance, comfort and sustainability.s».
