Embraer’s E-Jets E2 family has received Type Acceptance Certification from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), clearing the way for the latest-generation aircraft to enter service in the country.

The approval follows Airlink’s agreement with lessor Azorra to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2s, making the South African carrier the first E2 operator in the market. Deliveries are set to begin later this year, with the full fleet scheduled to arrive by 2027.

“This certification opens new opportunities for the aircraft, which has already attained significant success across the world,” said Stephan Hannemann, senior vice president for Africa and Middle East, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “Passengers can now look forward to experiencing the E2’s class-leading comfort very soon.”

The E190-E2 and E195-E2 are the most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft flying today, offering 17.3% and 29% better fuel burn per seat respectively compared with previous-generation E-Jets.

Seating up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two layout, the E195-E2 is expected to enhance Airlink’s operational flexibility on both high-density and emerging routes across sub-Saharan Africa.

“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,” added Arjan Meijer, president and chief executive of Embraer Commercial Aviation. “It’s great that Airlink will soon be South Africa’s first E2 operator.”

Airlink chief executive de Villiers Engelbrecht noted that the aircraft’s extra range and capacity will allow the airline to boost frequencies and expand its network: “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 certification also covered the aircraft’s Pratt & Whitney PW1900G engines, with the process supported by the engine manufacturer.

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