CENTRAL DE MÍDIA

São José dos Campos, Brazil, August 07, 2025: Airlink and Azorra have finalized a lease agreement that will see the Johannesburg-headquartered airline acquire 10 new Embraer E195-E2 twin-engine passenger aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.

This follows the previously announced selection of the E195-E2s by Airlink, South Africa’s leading full-service airline.

Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm will supply the newly-built aircraft which will augment Airlink’s current 68-strong fleet.

Deliveries of the 10 E195-E2s from Embraer’s facilities in Brazil, will begin later this year and be completed in 2027. Airlink has operated Embraer aircraft since 2001.

The new aircraft, which will seat up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two cabin layout, will provide Airlink with additional capacity to enhance its competitiveness on high-density routes and their additional range will create opportunities to open new routes to serve more destinations across sub-Sahara Africa.

Airlink will derive additional savings from the high degree of operating, maintenance, training and equipment commonality between its existing E-Jets and the new E2s, including similar flightdecks, operating procedures and handling. This will also ensure a streamlined entry into service.

Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, says: “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, but I have no doubt that the Airlink team will deliver, as they always do.”

John Evans, CEO at Azorra, says: "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.”

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO Embraer Commercial Aviation, says: “We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Airlink as it takes this next step into the future with the E195-E2. This aircraft is the most efficient single-aisle jet in its class and perfectly suited to support Airlink’s ambitious growth plans across Southern Africa. We look forward to seeing the E2 in Airlink’s livery, delivering unmatched performance, comfort, and sustainability.” Images: https://embraer.imagerelay.com/fl/13349ba48bf34f808a9a418b20beaa11

About Azorra  

Azorra is a relationship-driven aircraft lessor that provides leasing, financing, fleet transition and asset management solutions to aircraft investors, financiers and airline operators worldwide. Azorra’s multi-cultural team reflects the global markets that we serve and includes core competencies in aviation law, aircraft finance, maintenance, marketing, sales, trading and leasing. 

Our team is led by seasoned veterans having a shared history of success and is complemented with young professionals who bring fresh perspective, ideas and enthusiasm. Azorra currently owns and manages a fleet of more than 125 aircraft. Including commitments and orders for new Airbus A220-100/300 aircraft and Embraer E190/195-E2 aircraft, Azorra's total fleet exceeds 225 assets. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has an office in Dublin, Ireland.    About Airlink: www.flyairlink.com

Airlink was established in 1992 and is Southern Africa’s premier, privately-owned regional airline. With its fleet of modern Embraer jetliners, Airlink serves these cities and other destinations. It offers worldwide connections through its partners, which include many trusted and well-known inter-continental brands, and its FlyNamibia franchise.

In 2024 Qatar Airways became a 25 percent equity partner in Airlink.

Airlink is an International Air Transport Association (IATA) member, accredited under its IOSA safety audit programme, and certified through the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) Organisation.

About Embraer

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil, with businesses in Commercial and Executive Aviation, Defense and Security, and Agricultural Aviation. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets aircraft and systems, providing comprehensive after-sales services and support.

Since its founding in 1969, Embraer has delivered over 9,000 aircraft. On average, one Embraer-manufactured aircraft takes off every 10 seconds somewhere in the world, transporting over 150 million passengers annually.

Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 150 seats and the top exporter of high-value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service, and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe.