AirLink’s CEO on the future of its fleet
Although South African regional carrier AirLink is currently focused on surviving the global health crisis and restoring its balance sheet, the airline’s leadership already has an idea of what the future of the carrier’s fleet will look like. This was discussed during an interview with AirLink CEO Roger Foster in November as part of our Future Flying Forum. Let’s take a look at what aircraft AirLink might acquire in the future.
AirLink’s fleet as it stands
Aside from six British Aerospace Jetstream 41 aircraft, AirLink’s core operations utilize Embraer regional jets. Types include the following:
- ERJ-135
- ERJ-140
- E170
- E190
Together, these jets make up almost 90% of the AirLink fleet- 47 of a total of 53 aircraft. The youngest of these sub fleets is the ERJ-190, which have an average age of about 12 years at the time of this article’s publication. However, the remainder of AirLink’s Embraer jets are closer to 20 years of age- something that the carrier must be well aware of at this point.
A vote of confidence for Embraer
When asked about the future of the AirLink fleet at our November Future Flying Forum, airline CEO Roger Foster shared where he thinks his things are headed, showing clear support for Brazilian planemaker Embraer. “We will most certainly be looking at the E2. We like what the E2 stands for in terms of the economic advantage, the direct variable operating cost advantage within that aircraft.”
Delivering better range and lower fuel-burn, the Embraer E2 line of aircraft is a refresh and renewal of the planemaker’s existing regional jet offerings. E2-generation aircraft available thus far include the E175, E190, and E195. Foster notes that once the airline can stabilize itself from the turmoil of the global health crisis, having a newer generation of jets will help it to become more competitive against other airlines operating in the same market. “…Especially on the trunk markets where we’re up against low-cost carriers,” Foster adds.
The CEO admits that if his airline is going to be resilient and robust in those markets, it will have to get much closer to costs of its competitors, “because the revenues that we derive from participating in those markets are determined by whoever it is in the market that has the lowest cost base.”
Restoration of the balance sheet is a priority
As already mentioned, the airline’s priority, for now, is getting itself back into a stable financial position.
“I think once we’ve done that, that is the immediate mission, the restoration of the balance sheet, once we’ve got substantial equity regained on the balance sheet, then we will most certainly be looking at the E2.” Foster emphasizes that the E2 will be part of AirLink moving forward, “but not now, right now, our mission is to restore the balance sheet.”
