South African airline Airlink has finalized a lease agreement with Florida-based lease, finance, and asset management firm Azorra for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the first expected later this year.
The lease is part of a broader effort by Airlink to expand its fleet and route network following its partnership with Qatar Airways. The Doha-based airline took an equity stake in Airlink last year.
“It is an exciting and daunting moment for Airlink,” said CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht. “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.”
Deliveries of the E195-E2s from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil will begin later this year and will be completed in 2027.
“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,” said Azorra CEO John Evans.
Airlink Expansion Plans
The E2 aircraft will augment Airlink’s current 68-strong fleet. They will seat up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin layout, providing the airline with additional capacity on high-density routes.
The aircraft will also help Airlink grow its network to more destinations across sub-Sahara Africa.
Airlink also expects to save money and improve operational stability thanks to operating, maintenance, training, and equipment commonalities between its existing E-Jets and the new E2s, including similar flight decks, operating procedures, and handling.
