Azorra expands E2 commitment with order for 15 more Embraer aircraft
Azorra has placed a follow-on order for 15 additional E195-E2 aircraft from Embraer, strengthening the lessor’s fleet of next-generation regional narrowbody aircraft.
The agreement also includes purchase rights for a further 15 aircraft and takes the lessor’s total firm E2 commitments to 54 aircraft.
Azorra first purchased the E2 in January 2022, placing an order for 20 firm and 30 purchase rights. The lessor exercised purchase rights in 2023, turning 15 aircraft into firm orders.
Azorra order takes Embraer to 500 E2s sold
The Azorra deal, while incremental for the lessor, is notable for Embraer as it pushes the manufacturer past the 500 units sold mark for the E2 programme.
Although Airbus celebrated passing the 1,000th aircraft order with the recent huge deal from AirAsia, Embraer’s regional aircraft is slightly later to the market and lacks the backing of one of the ‘big two.’
While Embraer did not disclose the value of the latest transaction or delivery timelines, JP Morgan estimated it at $1.3 billion at list prices. But aircraft transactions are typically concluded with substantial discounts, and Azorra may have locked in an attractive price when placing the original commitment.
The bank estimates Embraer’s commercial backlog could rise to approximately $15.6 billion in the second quarter of 2026. The company began 2026 with the largest order backlog in its history, with outstanding orders worth $31.6 billion at list prices, and is on track for a record year.
However, the order is only the second E2 sale announced by Embraer this year. The other was a substantial sale to Finnair for its European short-haul renewal.
The Embraer E2 proves itself beyond regional routes
The E195-E2, the largest member of Embraer’s E2 family, is a regional jet that is proving itself in other markets. Airlines are increasingly using the aircraft to open lower-demand, thinner routes, while still maintaining the frequencies that are attractive to passengers.
Last year, Royal Jordanian detailed how it used the E2 as a narrowbody aircraft, but at a lower cost, while for airlines like Helvetic, the aircraft has been nothing short of transformational.
Speaking to AGN in late 2025, Arjan Meijer, the CEO of Embraer, described the E2 as the “right aircraft at the right time.“ As narrowbody markets become saturated, the E2 can open new airports, new communities and new connections for people who lack a reliable air service.
Embraer is also at an advantage because, despite being at record levels, its production backlog is relatively attractive. Finnair, for example, will take delivery of the first of the E2s ordered in March 2026 at some point in 2027. Compared with 12 years of backlog work facing Boeing and Airbus, that’s practically express delivery.
Azorra chief executive John Evans said the lessor continued to see strong interest in the type from airlines looking to modernise their fleets.
“Our continued investment in Embraer’s E2 family reflects the strong demand we are seeing from airlines around the world for right-sized, fuel-efficient aircraft that deliver operational, economic and network planning advantages to our airline customers,” he said.
“The E2 has proven to be an ideal solution for airlines seeking to open new markets and modernise their fleets while enhancing the passenger experience and strengthening their brands.”
The Florida-based lessor, which also has an office in Ireland, has emerged as one of the programme’s most loyal supporters. Evans added that Azorra had worked with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to expand the E2 customer base and bring the aircraft to new operators across the world.
Embraer seeks further orders in narrowbody market
It might be only the second order in for the E2 this year, but Azorra’s top-up order shows there is still strong demand for the sub-150-seat market.
The manufacturer said the E2 family now has more than 200 aircraft in service with 24 operators.
Arjan Meijer, president and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “Azorra has been an important partner in the global success of the E2, and this latest order is another strong endorsement of the aircraft’s outstanding economics, performance and passenger appeal.
“Surpassing 500 E2 orders is a proud moment for Embraer and reflects the growing momentum behind right-sized, fuel-efficient aircraft.”
Featured image: Azorra
