Airlink to add 10 Embraer E195-E2 jets in deal with U.S. lessor Azorra

August 7, 2025 in Business, Companies, Travel & Tourism by Editor

South African carrier Airlink expects deliveries of an additional 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft to start later this year, following the conclusion of a lease agreement with Fort Lauderdale based aircraft leasing and finance firm Azorra.

The aircraft will be delivered between late 2025 and 2027, with the first unit expected to arrive before the end of this year. Built at Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, the E195-E2 is the largest aircraft in the Brazilian manufacturer’s E-Jet family and can seat up to 136 passengers in a two-class layout.

Airlink says the new aircraft will provide additional capacity and enhance its competitiveness on high-density routes while their additional range will create opportunities to open new routes to serve more destinations across sub-Sahara Africa.

Airlink currently operates a fleet of 68 aircraft, many of them Embraer models. The new additions are expected to complement the existing fleet, offering efficiency gains through commonality in maintenance, crew training, and operations.

“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,” said Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht.

Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001 and has built a reputation as one of Southern Africa’s more resilient carriers, particularly in the wake of regional industry upheaval and state airline failures.

The E195-E2, designed for short to medium haul routes, offers a longer range than previous models and is seen as a fit for high-density regional routes or thin long-range city pairs across the continent.

For Embraer, the deal extends its footprint on the continent, which has been a growth market for its regional jets in recent years.

John Evans, CEO of Azorra, said the deal aligns with broader trends in African aviation, where demand for newer, more efficient jets is growing amid constrained infrastructure and rising operational costs.

“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.”

While the financial terms of the lease were not disclosed, the agreement comes at a time when African carriers are cautiously rebuilding capacity after years of pandemic-related disruption, with a renewed focus on right-sizing fleets and controlling costs.