Paris Air Show: Airlink joins the Embraer E2 crew with 10 aircraft commitment
June 18, 2025
South African airline Airlink will become a new operator of the Embraer E2 jet as it was announced today that it has committed to taking 10 E195-E2s on lease from Azorra.
Airlink is a long-standing Embraer customer, already operating an all-Embraer fleet split between the ERJ-145, E175 and E190/195 for a total fleet size of 70 aircraft.
The E195-E2 will be one of the largest aircraft the airline operates. At present, it has just 6 of the largest E1 variant of the type, the E195, and 29 of the slightly smaller E190.
Deliveries of the new E195-E2 will be straight from the Embraer factory in Brazil, and are anticipated to begin as soon as later this year. All 10 will be delivered by 2027.
The aircraft are being acquired from Azorra, a leading leasing firm based in Fort Lauderdale.
The Embraer E2 will make Airlink even more competitive
Embraer noted that the aircraft will be equipped with either 136 or 124 seats, suggesting some will be single class while others will offer a business class. Airlink operates its current fleet of E195s with 107 seats, 11 in business class and 96 in economy.
Adding more seats is a quick way to make flights more profitable, and combined with the E2s increased efficiency, the new additions are anticipated to achieve fuel savings of up to 29% compared to the earlier generation E195s.
The airline will be in a position to capitalise on lower unit costs on its most high demand routes, and with the extended range of the E2, Airlink will be able to open new connections across South Africa.
“The E195-E2 will bolster our business,” says Airlink’s new CEO De Villiers Engelbrecht, who replaced long-standing chief Rodger Foster in late 2024. “It will help us be even more competitive and to continue providing a great value offering.”
Azorra has orders for both the E2 and A220
Azorra’s order book includes both the Embraer E2 family and its closest competitor, the Airbus A220. In all, the lessor has 20 Embraer E2 on order, with a further 30 options, and 22 A220 family in the backlog.
“The E195-E2 offers the perfect combination of increased capacity, efficiency and flexibility,” says John Evans, CEO at Azorra. “It will help Airlink expand its network while maintaining the high frequency service its passengers value.”
Embraer has long touted the advantages the E2 series can bring to African airlines, balancing perfectly the efficiency and economic requirements with the right size and range to enhance intra-African connectivity.
Airlink will become the second African airline to operate the type after Air Peace with its fleet of five.
