embraer e195 e2 airlink azorra 2
PR: Embraer’s E-Jets E2 family has received Type Acceptance Certification from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA); another significant milestone in the aircraft’s global success and reinforcing its suitability for the African market.
“This certification opens new opportunities for the aircraft, which has already attained significant success across the world,” said Stephan Hannemann, SVP for Africa and Middle East, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Passengers can now look forward to experiencing the E2’s class-leading comfort very soon.”
Embraer’s E2 family of aircraft enables airlines to build operational flexibility, match capacity with demand, and add frequencies – all enhancing connectivity. E190-E2 and E195-E2 are the most fuel-efficient single aisle aircraft flying today, delivering 17.3% and 29% better fuel efficiency per seat respectively, compared to previous generation E-Jets.
The announcement comes on the heels of a major fleet expansion by Airlink, South Africa’s leading airline, which recently finalized a lease agreement with Azorra for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft. The first deliveries are expected later this year, with the full fleet arriving by 2027. These aircraft will seat up to 136 passengers in Embraer’s comfortable two-by-two configuration and will support Airlink’s growth across high-density and emerging routes in sub-Saharan Africa.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented: “With Embraer firmly established as the market leader in the up to 150 seat segment in Africa, this region is a key focus for us. As a long-standing Embraer customer, it’s great that Airlink will soon be South Africa’s first E2 operator. This aircraft is the most efficient single-aisle jet and is perfectly suited to support Airlink’s ambitious growth plans across Southern Africa.”
Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, said: “South Africa’s type acceptance of the latest generation Embraer E195-E2 and its Pratt & Whitney engines by the SACAA are important milestones as we prepare to receive and take them into service. The E2’s additional capacity and range will let Airlink respond to increased demand on some of our most popular routes and extend our destination network so that we can provide convenient connections for customers in new markets.”
The type acceptance process was closely supported by Embraer’s engine partner Pratt & Whitney, as the E2’s next generation PW1900G engines were, in parallel, certified in South Africa. With SACAA certification now in place, Embraer’s E2 jets are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation in South Africa and beyond.
Notes:
- Winning the certification is an essential step for Embraer.
- The African market is one of the best market opportunities Embraer has. Africa, with its underdeveloped market and poor road networks, is a natural for commercial aviation. In many ways, the African market is a bigger version of Brazil, which has the same lack of road and rail networks.
- South Africa is a founder member of BRICS. This gives Embraer an advantage over other OEMs.
- South Africa’s economic heft within Africa gives it influence. Once South Africa certifies the E2, then other African countries are likely to follow suit.
- Once Airlink’s E2s are operating across the continent, Embraer’s impact will grow. As an example, the A220 has not caught on because the Air Tanzania example is plain to see. It might be a great airplane, but the technical support and operational challenges have not been met. Air Senegal is another example. Airlink is a far better-run airline, and its endorsement of the E2 will be watched closely. Among the observers keeping an eye on this are Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways.
- We are aware that Airlink’s state-owned competitor, South African Airways, is seriously considering the E2 as well. Should SAA decide to select the E2, it would be a blow to Airbus. Airbus won SAA away from Boeing decades ago, and it was seen as a big win. SAA today is a shadow of its former self, but another win for Embraer would be good news for them.
- The age-old adage applies. Seek quality customers, and they will influence others.
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