Airlink Finalizes Lease of 10 new Embraer E195-E2s with Aircraft Lessor Azorra

Embraer has today announced that Airlink and Azorra have finalized a lease agreement for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, with the first delivery scheduled for later this year.

Airlink Embraer E195-E2 Rendering - Courtesy Embraer

On Thursday (August 7, 2025), Embraer announced that Airlink and Azorra have finalized a lease agreement for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.  Airlink has been an Embraer aircraft operator since 2001. Today's announcement follows the previously announced selection of the E195-E2s by Airlink, South Africa’s leading full-service airline.  Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Azorra will supply the new aircraft, which will expand the airline’s fleet, which currently includes 68 aircraft.  Deliveries of the 10 E195-E2s will begin later this year and be completed in 2027.  The 136-seat aircraft will provide Airlink with additional capacity to enhance its competitiveness on high-density routes, while their additional range will create opportunities to open new routes to serve more destinations across sub-Sahara Africa.

In Thursday’s announcement, Airlink’s 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.”

Also commenting on the new lease agreement, Azorra’s CEO, John Evans, said,

"This is an exciting step forward in our partnership with Airlink.  The addition of the E195-E2 to their fleet highlights our shared commitment to operational efficiency, sustainable growth, and increased capacity and service.  We’re proud to work alongside Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to bring next-generation aircraft to Airlink, supporting enhanced connectivity across Africa.”

Embraer Commercial Aviation’s President and CEO, Arjan Meijer, added,

“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.”

Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Azorra is a relationship driven aircraft lessor that provides leasing, financing, fleet transition and asset management solutions to investors, financiers and airline operators worldwide.  Azorra currently owns and manages a fleet of over 125 aircraft, and has relationships with 38 operators in 31 countries.  The company currently has commitments to acquire over 225 Airbus A220-100/300s and Embraer E190/E195-E2 jets.  Azorra also has an office in Dublin, Ireland.

Source: Embraer