Airlink Considers the Embraer E175-E2 to Replace the E135 and E140

As Airlink, South Africa’s largest regional airline, continues an ambitious fleet renewal that already includes next-generation Embraer E195-E2 jets, attention is turning toward the future of its smallest regional aircraft, the Embraer ERJ135. The airline is now considering the Embraer E175-E2 as a potential successor for its ageing E135/E140 fleet, though such a move remains a long-term prospect rather than an immediate commitment.

Embraer E175-E2

For decades, South Africa’s Airlink has been synonymous with Embraer aircraft, operating one of the largest collections of the Brazilian manufacturer’s regional jets in Africa. From the E170 and E175 to the E190 and E195, Embraer’s E-Jet family has been central to Airlink’s mission of connecting secondary and tertiary markets within Southern and East Africa. Recently, the airline’s shift to the second-generation E2 variants, starting with the E195-E2, marked a significant leap in performance, efficiency and growth potential.

The E175-E2, the mid-sized member of Embraer’s E2 family, seats roughly 80 to 90 passengers, a capacity bracket that makes it a logical candidate to replace the smallest jets in Airlink’s fleet. Compared with the older ERJ135, the E175-E2 promises modern engines, improved aerodynamics and enhanced fuel efficiency. According to industry data, it could deliver 20–25% better fuel efficiency per seat than the original E175 design, thanks to advanced composites, engines and fly-by-wire systems.

However, the E175-E2’s development has faced hurdles. Embraer initially designed the aircraft to meet U.S. “scope clause” rules that restrict regional carriers’ aircraft size when operating on behalf of major airlines. Because the E175-E2 exceeds these weight and seating limits, Embraer effectively shelved the program after completing a prototype, leaving its future uncertain. This pause complicates Airlink’s ability to plan around the type, delaying realistic prospects for delivery beyond the late 2020s.

Before contemplating a shift to the E175-E2, Airlink is fully focused on embedding the E195-E2 into its operations. In 2025 and 2026, Airlink will receive 10 new E195-E2 jets on lease from the U.S. lessor Azorra, marking the first time the airline will operate factory-new aircraft in its history. The initial deliveries occurred in late 2025 and the aircraft are being phased into service across high-demand domestic and regional routes, such as Johannesburg–Cape Town and Johannesburg–Durban.

The E195-E2s offer substantial upgrades over older E-Jet models: more seats (up to 136 in a comfortable two-by-two layout), extended range, lower emissions and significant operational cost savings. Their introduction is not merely a modernisation step but a strategic enabler for network expansion, allowing Airlink to serve new markets and densify existing routes with greater efficiency.

Airlink still operates a fleet of around 27 ERJ135/140 jets, many of which have provided reliable service for years. But with Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer for these aircraft, planning to cease support around 2030–2031, Airlink faces the reality that the ERJs must eventually be phased out. Without a long-term engine support solution, retiring these jets becomes a strategic necessity.

This impending retirement timeline aligns with Airlink’s broader fleet evolution strategy. Once the first wave of E195-E2s is fully integrated and evaluated, the airline intends to assess its “entry-level” aircraft needs, likely around the end of this decade and that’s where the E175-E2 enters the conversation. At that point, Airlink could choose a next-generation regional jet to bridge the gap between turboprops and the larger E2s.

Although the E175-E2 fits Airlink’s network structure by providing more seats and greater efficiency compared to the ERJ135, there are considerable uncertainties. The aircraft’s development is paused, and its introduction into commercial service hinges on shifts in regulatory environments and Embraer’s strategic decisions. If Embraer resumes the program or proposes alternative solutions, Airlink will be in a strong position to assess and possibly implement them.

In the meantime, Airlink’s investment in the E195-E2 demonstrates a clear commitment to modern, efficient regional aviation. With Africa’s aviation market forecast to grow, stronger aircraft fleets mean greater connectivity, economic integration and competitive resilience. As Airlink navigates the next decade, the potential arrival of the E175-E2, if it materialises, could be a defining chapter in its ongoing story of evolution and growth.