Airlink, Southern Africa’s airline says it will “lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 twin-engine passenger aircraft from Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm.”
Under the scope of an agreement to be finalised soon, Airlink says it will “augment its current 68-strong fleet with the new E2 aircraft, with deliveries from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil expected later this year through to 2027.” Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001.
According to Airlink, “The new 136 and 124-seat aircraft are expected to achieve fuel savings of up to 29 percent compared to the earlier-generation E195s,” it currently operates. The airline says the new aircraft will enable it enhance its “economic efficiencies and reduce emissions across its schedule and network which covers 45 destinations in 15 countries, including St Helena Island in the South Atlantic and Madagascar.”
Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, said: “The E195-E2 will bolster our business, helping us to be even more competitive on key routes and in doing so, continue providing the great value offering our customers are accustomed to.”
John Evans, CEO at Azorra, said: “This decision marks a significant milestone in our relationship with Airlink. The E195-E2 offers the perfect combination of increased capacity, efficiency and flexibility, helping Airlink expand its network while maintaining the high-frequency service its passengers value. We are proud to partner with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to introduce this new generation aircraft to Airlink.”
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO Embraer Commercial Aviation, says: “The E2 continues to prove its value for airlines worldwide and this latest development highlights Embraer’s growing presence in Africa.”