Airlink to Lease 10 New Embraer E195-E2 Jets From Azorra

Embraer has announced that Airlink, Southern Africa’s leading full-service airline, plans on leasing 10 E195-E2 jets from Fort Lauderdale, Florida based Aircraft lessor, finance and management firm, Azorra.

Airlink Embraer E195-E2 Rendering - Courtesy Embraer

On Wednesday (June 18, 2025), From the Paris Air Show 2025, Embraer announced that Southern Africa’s Airlink plans to lease 10 new Embraer E195-E2 passenger aircraft from Azorra, The Fort Lauderdale based aircraft lessor, finance and asset management firm.  Under the agreement, which is expected to be finalized soon, Airlink will expand their current 68-strong fleet with new E2 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled from Embraer’s facility in Brazil later this year through 2027.  Airlink has been an Embraer customer since 2001.

In Thursday’s announcement, Airlink’s CEO, de Villiers Engelbrecht, said,

“The E195-E2 will bolster our business, helping us to be even more competitive on key routes and in doing so, continue providing the great value offering our customers are accustomed to.”

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

“This decision marks a significant milestone in our relationship with Airlink. The E195-E2 offers the perfect combination of increased capacity, efficiency and flexibility, helping Airlink expand its network while maintaining the high-frequency service its passengers value.  We are proud to partner with Embraer and Pratt & Whitney to introduce this new generation aircraft to Airlink.”

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

“The E2 continues to prove its value for airlines worldwide and this latest development highlights Embraer’s growing presence in Africa.  It’s a great vote of confidence in Embraer and the E2, that Airlink, one of the continent’s most successful airlines, and a long time Embraer operator, intends joining the E2 family.  We thank Azorra for its support in enabling what will be an important fleet expansion.”

Airlink’s new  Pratt & Whitney GTF 136 and 124-seat E195-E2s are expected to achieve fuel savings of up to 29 percent compared to the earlier-generation E195s Airlink currently operates.  This will enhance the carrier's economic efficiencies and reduce emissions across their network which covers 45 destinations in 15 countries, including St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic and Madagascar. 

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(s): Embraer, Azorra