embraer e195 e2 airlink azorra 2
In the highly competitive South African market, Airlink faces off against two rivals; an aggressive LCC named Safair and state-owned South African Airways. Few airlines have to operate in a market like this, small and competitive.
To make things even more interesting, you have a weak local currency against the US$. That makes fuel and capital costs expensive. The margin between success and failure is tight, and South Africa has an airline graveyard to prove that.
Into this mix, Airlink, Embraer’s largest operator in Africa, deployed the E195-E2. This up sized from their E190s, and introduced a new engine. It was a decision that percolated a long time, because a mistake can be fatal. Based on our conversation with the airline’s CEO, it has not been a mistake and indeed some key numbers underscore just how smart a move this might be.
Fuel burn is 40% better on the E2 and the aircraft is taking off in ‘hot and high’ Johannesburg at 60% thrust. Numbers better than expected. The thrust is so much better that the airline is working with Embraer to tweak settings. The Pratt & Whitney GTF was a concern, and it turns out, to date, the engine is delivering. Delivering so well that passenger feedback includes questions about whether the E2 is electrically powered because its so quiet.
The launch has been smooth and Airlink is steadily expanding the E2’s range envelope.
Views: 62