Malaysia’s SKS Airways has selected the Embraer E195-E2 to drive their growth plans, and will receive 10 of the aircraft type on lease from Azorra. The E195-E2s will be based at Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur’s city airport, from 2024.
On Thursday (May 25, 2023), Embraer announced that Malaysia’s SKS Airways has selected the Embraer E195-E2 to drive future growth. The carrier will receive ten E2s on lease from Azorra, and the aircraft will be based at Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur’s city airport, from 2024. The deal was announced at the Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA’23). SKS Airways will become the first E195-E2 operator in Southeast Asia, growing Embraer’s footprint in the greater Asia Pacific region, which currently stands at around 200. The lease agreement was signed between SKS Airways and Azorra, and witnessed by Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah, Minister of Transport YB Tuan Loke Siew Fook, The Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia H.E. Ary Norton de Murat Quintella, Embraer’s Johann Bordais, President & CEO of Embraer Services & Support, and Martyn Holmes, Chief Commercial of Embraer Commercial Aviation.
In Thursday’s announcement, SKS Airways’ Director, Dato’ Rohman Ahmad, said,
“This is a significant day for the future of aviation in Malaysia. We are delighted to announce the successful signing of these agreements with leading industry players like Embraer and Azorra who share our vision for the future of air travel. With these strategic partnerships, we are excited to embark on a new phase of growth, with a fleet of Embraer’s Jets operating out of Subang. The prevalence of the E-Jets at city airports around the world and the low noise emissions of the E195-E2 makes the aircraft a perfect fit for flights in and out of Subang Airport – supporting the Government’s aim to establish Subang Airport as Malaysia’s premium city airport and aviation hub.”
Also commenting on the lease deal, Embraer’s Chief Commercial Officer, Martyn Holmes, said,
“The E2 is the aircraft family of choice for airlines around the world seeking to develop their regional routes. As the most modern and efficient single-aisle aircraft, the E195-E2 will deliver a step change for our first Malaysian operator, SKS Airways, as it grows regional connectivity within Malaysia and beyond. We welcome SKS Airways to the Embraer family and we look forward to growing our collaboration and partnerships in Malaysia as the country continues to develop as a major aerospace hub.”
Azorra’s Chief Executive Officer, John Evans, added,
“We are pleased to partner with SKS Airways on this unique opportunity to be a part of the future expansion of Subang Airport. We believe Embraer’s new technology E2 is the perfect fit for a redeveloped, premier aviation hub near the heart of Kuala Lumpur, reducing travel times and improving connectivity in the region. The E2’s fuel efficiency, carbon footprint and low noise emissions offer a transformative, environmentally conscious jet solution for the city, the region, and its residents.”
Founded in November 2017, SKS Airways is a Malaysian regional carrier. The airline launched their first commercial flight from Subang Airport in January 2022. SKS Airways is part of the SKS Group of companies, and aims to reshape the future of aviation by enhancing connectivity withing the region with their new fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets.
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 77 aircraft on lease to 24 operators in 19 countries on five continents. The company currently has commitments to acquire new Airbus A220s and Embraer E2 jets. Azorra also has offices in Dublin, Ireland and Toulouse, France.
Source(s): Embraer, Azorra Aviation