Aviation matters: Sultan Abdullah viewing the interior of a E195-E2 jet after the signing ceremony at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi. — Bernama
LANGKAWI: Malaysia’s regional carrier SKS Airways has committed to leasing 10 Embraer E195-E2 single-aisle jets in a deal worth more than US$840mil (RM3.9bil) from Azorra.
The deal was announced at the official signing ceremony between SKS Airways, Embraer Commercial Aviation and Azorra at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition 2023 (Lima’23) here yesterday.
SKS Airways director Datuk Rohman Ahmad said the 10 aircraft would form the core of the airline’s expansion plans and would be based at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang, Selangor.
“The delivery of the first E195-E2 to SKS Airways is scheduled for January 2024, making SKS Airways the first operator of the Embraer E195-E2 in South-East Asia,” he said.
He added that the airline launched commercial operations in January 2022.
The event was graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke while Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz was also present.
Rohman said the transaction included a 12-year operating lease agreement, which also covered the repair and maintenance of the 10 Embraer aircraft.
“The growing demand for regional routes, the economic performance and being more environmentally friendly are among the main drivers for the airline’s decision to choose the aircraft,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.
Rohman also pointed out that the prevalence of the Embraer jets at city airports around the world and their low noise emissions made the aircraft a perfect fit for flights in and out of LTSAAS.
This is in line with the government’s objective of establishing the airport as Malaysia’s premium city airport and aviation hub.
The E195-E2 jet has a seating capacity of 136, with a total flying range of about seven hours.
Embraer chief commercial officer Martyn Holmes said the Brazilian airframer was looking forward to more collaboration and partnerships in Malaysia, which he said was becoming a major aerospace hub.
