Airlink gives an Embraer 135 aircraft to South African school to support aviation skills training
August 20, 2025
Southern Africa’s regional carrier, Airlink, has gifted a decommissioned Embraer 135 passenger jet to the Gauteng Department of Basic Education (GDE).
With Africa requiring an additional 17,000 to 21,000 technicians over the next 20 years, Airlink’s donated aircraft will be integral to providing students at Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation (SOS) with hands-on training experience.
The school currently has 45 students enrolled across years 11 and 12 in its aviation engineering classes (including 13 girls and 32 boys).
In addition to the retired aircraft, Airlink will fund two newly qualified female aircraft maintenance technicians to work at the school as trainers on the aircraft.
The two women, who are currently working at the airline’s aircraft maintenance centre at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, will be deployed to the school on a two-year placement.
Airlink’s donated jet will enable hands-on learning
Hon. Matome Chiloane, Gauteng’s MEC for Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, explained that the aircraft will be incorporated into specialised programmes, including Search and Rescue training.
“It will provide students with invaluable, hands-on experience to complement their classroom learning,” he added. “Beyond Rhodesfield SOS, the aircraft will also be used to benefit other schools across Gauteng, providing students from other institutions with the opportunity to engage in experiential learning.”
Hands-on learning is vital for shaping future aviation engineers because it bridges the gap between theory and practice. While classroom study provides essential foundations in aerodynamics, propulsion, and systems, real-world application develops problem-solving, adaptability, and technical confidence.
Airlink’s Embraer and its road to retirement
The decommissioned ERJ 135, which was originally delivered to Airlink in 2013, was powered by two Rolls-Royce AE 3007/A3 turbofan engines. Before it was decommissioned, it had logged 32,080 flight hours and over 30,100 flights.
With a 2,400km range and featuring a 37-seat configuration, it was used to serve destinations across Airlink’s regional network.
Students will be able to study its structural design while also learning about cabin layout, avionics and other equipment.
Although Airlink has removed certain components from the aircraft to support its active fleet, the airline has pledged to donate additional aircraft parts to the school over time.
“By placing a real aircraft in learners’ hands and providing qualified engineers as trainers, we can help bridge the gap between theory and practical experience,” says Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht.
“Students will now get their hands on authentic aircraft systems, components and structures and see how they are integrated and used – an experience that is typically inaccessible to many youngsters who aspire to have aviation careers.”
Airlink’s fleet modernisation strategy
As it slowly phases out its decommissioned aircraft, the regional carrier, which prides itself on operating a fleet of modern Embraer jetliners, is adding 10 new Embraer E195 E2s to its aircraft portfolio.
The aircraft have been leased from the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm, Azorra.
The expanded and modernised fleet will enable the airline to power its continued growth and enhance connectivity across Southern Africa. Deliveries of the 10 new aircraft will begin later this year and are expected to be complete in 2027.
Speaking earlier in August, Engelbrecht described the arrival of Embraer’s E2s as both exciting and daunting.
“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,” he said. “Daunting as there is a lot to do in the weeks ahead before the first aircraft enters service, hopefully in December this year.”
