Embraer Achieves Milestone In African Market

Embraer announced that its E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft received Type Acceptance Certification from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, notching another achievement in global acceptance and asserting its suitability in the African market.

The E2 family of aircraft permits flexibility for airlines to match capacity with demand and to add frequencies to enhance connectivity. The E190-E2 and E195-E2 are very fuel efficient, single-aisle aircraft, providing 17.3% and 29% better fuel economy per seat, respectively, than previous E-Jet generations.

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

The announcement comes as Airlink, South Africa’s leading airline, is in the midst of a major fleet expansion, having recently executed a lease agreement with Azorra for 10 new Embraer E195-E2 jets. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year with the full fleet in service by 2027.

The E195-E2 aircraft will seat up to 136 passengers in a comfortable two-by-two configuration. They are intended to support Airlink’s growth on emerging and high-density routes in sub-Saharan Africa.

de Villiers Engelbrecht, CEO of Airlink said, “South Africa’s type acceptance of the latest generation Embraer E195-E2 and its Pratt & Whitney engines by the SACAA are important milestones as we prepare to receive and take them into service. 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."

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation said, “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. As a long-standing Embraer customer, it’s great that Airlink will soon be South Africa’s first E2 operator. This aircraft is the most efficient single-aisle jet and is perfectly suited to support Airlink’s ambitious growth plans across Southern Africa.”

FMI:  www.embraer.com/