South Africa-based regional airline Airlink and lessor 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 the airline made at the Paris Air Show.

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.

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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.

Airlink CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, said: “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.”

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.”