South African regional and domestic airline Airlink is to significantly expand and modernise its fleet, and increase its capacity, by leasing ten new next-generation Embraer E195-E2 smaller single-aisle airliners. The aircraft will be leased from US leasing, financing and asset management group Azorra, in a deal which will be concluded soon.

“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,” explained Airlink CEO De Villiers Engelbrecht.

“This decision marks a significant milestone in our relationship with Airlink,” highlighted Azorra CEO John Evans. “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.”

Deliveries of the new aircraft, which will augment the carrier’s current fleet of 68 airliners, should commence later this year and continue until 2027. These new planes are expected to deliver fuel savings of up to 29%, compared with Airlink’s current fleet of first-generation E195s. This will reduce both the airline’s fuel costs and its carbon emissions.

Airlink’s E195-E2s would be configured to carry either 124 seats or 136 seats. Compared with Airlink’s E190s, the larger E195-E2s – the largest airliner type produced by Embraer – will have on average 33% more seats. The E195-E2s are also longer-ranged and will allow the airline to expand its network. The new aircraft will be powered by Pratt&Whitney GTF engines.

“The E2 continues to prove its value for airlines worldwide and this latest development highlights Embraer’s growing presence in Africa,” affirmed Embraer Commercial Aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer. “It’s a great vote of confidence in Embraer and the E2, that Airlink, one of the continent’s most successful airlines, and a long-time Embraer operator, intends joining the E2 family. We thank Azorra for its support in enabling what will be an important fleet expansion.”

There is a high degree of commonality between the new E2 and Airlink’s current E-Jets, in terms of operation, maintenance, training and equipment. They have similar operating procedures, handling and flightdecks. This will facilitate their entry into service.

The local carrier has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001. Airlink now serves 45 destinations in 15 countries, including St Helena Island in the South Atlantic and Madagascar.