The primary plane is anticipated to be delivered later this 12 months.
By Lorne Philipot
This growth is fueled by Airlink’s partnership with Qatar Airways and goals to extend fleet measurement, route community, and passenger capability throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
The E195-E2s will supply operational efficiencies resulting from commonalities with Airlink’s current E-Jets, resulting in value financial savings and improved stability.
The brand new plane will seat as much as 136 passengers, considerably boosting capability on high-density routes.
South African airline Airlink has finalized a lease settlement with Florida-based lease, finance, and asset administration agency Azorra for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 plane, with the primary anticipated later this 12 months.
The lease is a part of a broader effort by Airlink to broaden its fleet and route community following its partnership with Qatar Airways. The Doha-based airline took an fairness stake in Airlink final 12 months.
“It’s an thrilling and daunting second for Airlink,” mentioned CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht. “Thrilling as a result of it heralds the subsequent section of Airlink’s improvement and progress because the main regional airline in Southern Africa and now probably past. Daunting, as there’s a lot to do within the weeks forward earlier than the primary plane enters service, hopefully in December this 12 months, however I’ve little question that the Airlink workforce will ship, as they at all times do.”
Deliveries of the E195-E2s from Embraer’s amenities in Brazil will start later this 12 months and might be accomplished in 2027.
A rendering of Airlink’s Embraer E195-E2. (Picture: Airlink)
“That is an thrilling step ahead in our partnership with Airlink. The addition of the E195-E2 to their fleet highlights our shared dedication to operational effectivity, sustainable progress, and elevated capability and repair. We’re proud to work alongside Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to deliver next-generation plane to Airlink, supporting enhanced connectivity throughout Africa,” mentioned Azorra CEO John Evans.
Airlink Growth Plans
The E2 plane will increase Airlink’s present 68-strong fleet. They are going to seat as much as 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin structure, offering the airline with further capability on high-density routes.
The plane may also assist Airlink develop its community to extra locations throughout sub-Sahara Africa.
Airlink additionally expects to save cash and enhance operational stability because of working, upkeep, coaching, and tools commonalities between its current E-Jets and the brand new E2s, together with related flight decks, working procedures, and dealing with.
Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a ardour for aviation in his blood, he has flown to locations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in numerous nations. Drawing on his travels and fervour for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airways, routes, networks, and new developments.
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