Embraer has released its 2021 delivery numbers. Across Africa, airlines are shifting focus to more efficient aircraft types and there is a shift to Embraer. Africa is a promising market for Embraer.
Africa shifts focus to E195-E2
The announcement wraps up a bumper year for Embraer during which it sealed aircraft deals with Nigeria’s Overland Airways, American Airlines, Azorra, and NetJets. Embraer also signed services and support contracts with KLM Cityhopper and TAP Express.
Nigeria and West Africa’s biggest airline by size, Air Peace in 2019 placed orders for ten Embraer jets. The carrier set the record as the first African airline to acquire the new model Embraer E195-E2. It includes 13 firm orders and 17 purchase-right orders, coming second to Lufthansa, which ordered 35.
The E195-E2 tagged Profit Hunter aircraft will help Air Peace achieve its ambition of connecting not just all of Nigeria, but the entire African continent, while feeding long-haul flights from its Lagos hub, the airline said. Early last year took delivery of its fifth E195-E2 jet.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) national flag carrier Congo Airways enhanced its first E2 order from six months ago by placing another with the Brazilian planemaker for two E195-E2s. The four aircraft deal, which includes the earlier one for two smaller E190-E2s, now brings the N’djili Airport (NIH)-based airlines order with Embraer worth $272 million at list prices. Embraer will include this latest order in its fourth-quarter backlog.
The chief Executive of Congo Airways, CEO of Desire Bantu said, “We see an opportunity in our market and the crisis we are all facing for Congo Airways to emerge stronger – which is why we are not waiting to place this further order. These new jets will allow us to extend our passenger and cargo operations regionally to high-demand destinations such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Abidjan. As we prepare for future success, we will have the flexibility, and the right-sized, most efficient aircraft, to serve our customers as the market returns.”
Nigeria’s Overland Airways in November 2021 placed a firm order for three E175s, plus three purchase rights for the same model. These aircraft are expected to increase domestic flights for the airline and allow it to expand to more regional routes. The CEO of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, said, “We are confident that this is the right moment to invest, as regional aviation is on an optimistic post-pandemic recovery. Our customers will really enjoy all comfort in the E175, and we appreciate our partnership with Embraer.”
In Africa, Embraer has over 40 jets in operation with 11 operators, flying under the colors of some of the region’s most prominent airlines including Kenya Airways, Egyptair, LAM Mozambique, and South African Airlink.
