South Africa’s leading regional carrier, Airlink, is laying the groundwork for a transformative shift in its fleet strategy, positioning the Embraer E2 family at the heart of its long-term growth plans as it prepares to retire its ageing Embraer E135 and E140 aircraft.
Speaking in an interview with industry analysis provider AirInsight, Airlink chief executive officer de Villiers Engelbrecht confirmed that the Embraer E175-E2 is emerging as a potential future “entry-level” aircraft once the airline completes the integration of its initial batch of E195-E2s.
“It is an option that we have considered,” Engelbrecht said. “But it is more long-term. We are going to face the retirement of the E135 fleet in the next five years, maybe even sooner. The E175-E2 will become quite interesting then.”
A Looming Transition For Legacy Regional Jets
Airlink currently operates 27 E135 and E140 aircraft, which have served as the backbone of its regional network for years. However, Engelbrecht noted that these jets will need to be phased out within the next five to ten years as Rolls-Royce engine support arrangements expire around 2030–31.
The potential replacement candidate, the E175-E2, offers seating for 80–90 passengers, a range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles, and a 20–25% improvement in fuel efficiency per seat compared with the first-generation E175. These gains are driven by advanced composite structures and enhanced fly-by-wire technology.
Yet the aircraft’s availability timeline remains uncertain. Embraer has pushed E175-E2 deliveries beyond 2027 due to certification delays and muted demand in the US regional market, where scope-clause restrictions limit aircraft size.
Airlink intends to evaluate the type only after its first ten E195-E2 aircraft are fully embedded across the network, and performance data has been assessed.
E195-E2 Integration Gathers Momentum
Airlink’s E2 programme is already progressing. Three E195-E2 aircraft entered service on 22 December following a five-phase certification process, the first introduction of the type in South Africa. A further seven deliveries are scheduled for 2026, with three more arriving in 2027 to complete the current order.
The aircraft’s larger capacity and extended range are expected to unlock new growth opportunities, particularly in underserved African markets. Engelbrecht confirmed that Airlink is targeting expansion into West and East Africa, with Central Africa also under consideration.
Closer to home, the airline is preparing to launch a new Johannesburg–Nacala service in Mozambique next month, with Zanzibar in Tanzania also under review, alongside continued densification of domestic routes.
Supply-Chain Challenges Drive Creative Solutions
Global supply-chain disruptions continue to pressure airline maintenance operations, prompting Airlink to adopt a pragmatic approach to fleet support. The carrier has acquired two Embraer E190 aircraft from lessor TrueNoord for part-out, providing engines and critical components to stabilise maintenance operations.
Delivered in late December, the nearly 19-year-old aircraft, previously operated by Air Canada and Breeze Airways, are expected to improve fleet availability once parts are certified and released into service.
Managing GTF Risk With Structured Mitigation
Industry concerns surrounding Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engines have not deterred Airlink from embracing the E195-E2. Engelbrecht emphasised that the airline would not have proceeded without robust mitigation measures secured from Embraer, Pratt & Whitney, and lessor Azorra.
He added that engine performance trends are improving and that operational feedback from other E2 operators has strengthened confidence in long-term support arrangements.
Competitive Pressures Intensify
Airlink’s fleet evolution comes amid heightened competition in the South African market. Low-cost rival FlySafair recently committed to its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft under a five-aircraft lease agreement with AerCap, combining three 737-8s with two additional 737-800NGs. The move signals an acceleration in capacity growth and operational efficiency within the narrow-body segment.
With FlySafair already operating a fleet dominated by 737-800s, the introduction of MAX aircraft underscores the intensifying race for cost efficiency, network expansion, and modernisation across the region’s airline sector.
A Deliberate, Data-Driven Pathway
For Airlink, the potential adoption of the E175-E2 represents not an immediate procurement decision but a strategic horizon, one aligned with the retirement timeline of its legacy regional jets and the operational realities of the African market.
As Engelbrecht summarised, the airline’s immediate focus remains on extracting value from its E195-E2 investment before determining how best to shape the next generation of regional connectivity.
In doing so, Airlink appears poised to redefine its role in Africa’s evolving aviation landscape, balancing fleet renewal, market expansion, and operational resilience in a region where demand for reliable regional air transport continues to grow.
