Airlink’s new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft entered service on 22 December, with its inaugural flight, number 4Z 553, flying from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport.
AIRLINK: INAUGURAL E195-E2 FLIGHT
Airlink is the first carrier in Southern Africa to operate the state-of-the-art E195-E2s, which are powered by the super fuel-efficient Pratt & Whitney PW1009G Geared Turbo-Fan (GTF) engines.
The new aircraft, which seat up to 136 passengers in a two-by-two economy cabin layout, will provide Airlink with additional capacity on high-density domestic routes including Johannesburg – Durban; Cape Town – Hoedspruit; Gqeberha-Johannesburg and Cape Town-Mbombela (Nelspruit). These are popular all year round routes with business and leisure travellers.
ENABLING NETWORK EXPANSION
Simultaneously, the E195-E2s’ extended range in comparison with its predecessor model, will extend Airlink’s reach, creating new opportunities to connect more destinations and markets across sub-Saharan Africa.
Airlink CEO, Mr de Villiers Engelbrecht, says: “The E195-E2s’ entry into Airlink service is set to deliver significant competitive advantages alongside commercial, economic and operational efficiencies. The new E2s and our current E-Jets have very similar flight decks, operating procedures and handling characteristics, which simplifies pilot, cabin crew and engineering training and support, which streamlined the entry into service. I have no doubt our customers will appreciate the comfort of the E195-E2’s cabin which is without a doubt the best in class.”
SAFETY PROCESSES
The new aircraft’s entry into service marks the culmination of a multi-faceted and comprehensive safety oversight process involving the aircraft’s certification by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) as well as its validation and approval of Airlink’s training principles and facilities, its operational procedures and readiness, and its engineering support facilities capabilities to maintain the new aircraft and engine combination.
Airlink will lease ten of the aircraft from Azorra, the Fort Lauderdale-based lease, finance and asset management firm. It has taken delivery of its first three.
The other seven aircraft, which will feature a two-class cabin configuration, will be delivered from Embraer’s factory in Brazil, over the next two years.
