Airlink and Azorra have finalised a lease agreement. According to the deal, the Johannesburg-headquartered airline will acquire 10 new Embraer E195-E2S twin-engine passenger aircraft. The first delivery is scheduled for later this year.
About the lease agreement of the 10 Embraer E195-E2S
The lease agreement follows the previously announced selection of the E195-E2S by Airlink, South Africa’s leading full-service airline. Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm, will supply the newly built aircraft, which will augment Airlink’s current 68-strong fleet. Deliveries of the 10 E195-E2S from Embraer’s facilities are expected to be completed in 2027.
Talking about the agreement, Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, says:
“It is an exciting and daunting moment for Airlink. Exciting because it heralds the next phase of Airlink’s development and growth as the leading regional airline in Southern Africa and now possibly beyond. Daunting, as there is a lot to do in the weeks ahead before the first aircraft enters service, hopefully in December this year, but I have no doubt that the Airlink team will deliver, as they always do.”
John Evans, CEO at Azorra, states:
“This is an exciting step forward in our partnership with Airlink. The addition of the E195-E2 to their fleet highlights our shared commitment to operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and increased capacity and service. We’re proud to work alongside Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to bring next-generation aircraft to Airlink, supporting enhanced connectivity across Africa.”
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, says:
“We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Airlink as it takes this next step into the future with the E195-E2. This aircraft is the most efficient single-aisle jet in its class and perfectly suited to support Airlink’s ambitious growth plans across Southern Africa. We look forward to seeing the E2 in Airlink’s livery, delivering unmatched performance, comfort, and sustainability.”
Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001. The new aircraft, which will seat up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin layout, will provide Airlink with additional capacity to enhance its competitiveness on high-density routes, and its additional range will create opportunities to open new routes to serve more destinations across sub-Saharan Africa.
Airlink will derive additional savings from the high degree of operating, maintenance, training and equipment commonality between its existing E-Jets and the new E2s, including similar flight decks, operating procedures and handling. This will also ensure a streamlined entry into service.
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, with businesses in commercial and executive aviation, defence and security, and agricultural aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing comprehensive after-sales services and support.
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