Embraer E-190 jet now in use at Airlink
Travellers between the city and Johannesburg can now look forward to being transported in a more economical and environmentally friendly plane.
MBOMBELA-Airlink’s new Embraer E190 jet recently touched down at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA).
The E190 will be a vast improvement to the Avro RJ85 model from a operational, economical and environmental point of view. It is able to handle short runways and is certified for narrow runway operations as well. The E190AR variant can accommodate 98 passengers in a two-class configuration.
According to Karin Murray, Airlink marketing and sales manager, the jet will allow the airline to broaden its horizons by allowing it to transport passengers to destinations that are further afield – including Libreville, Brazzaville, Pointe Noire and Kigali.
The E190AR is fully ETOPS-certified to handle remote destinations, and is ideal for transporting passengers to remote locations such as St Helena.
Watch:A similar E-190 Jet owned by Alitalia airlines takes off from London City Airport
Airlink currently possess a total of three E190s. The aircrafts operate from Johannesburg to Pietermaritzburg, Bulawayo and Mbombela. As of September 14 St Helena will also be incorporated into the flight schedule. The company has finalised a lease agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) to bolster its E-jet fleet with an additional 10 jets. Two of these jets will be new from the NAC’s backlog.
