SKS AIRWAYS COMMITS TO 10 EMBRAER E195-E2 JETS IN US$840 MLN DEAL

LANGKAWI, May 25 (Bernama) — Malaysia’s regional carrier, SKS Airways, has committed to leasing 10 Embraer E195-E2 single-aisle jets in a deal worth more than US$840 million (US$1=RM4.62) from lessor 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) today.

SKS Airways director Datuk Rohman Ahmad said the 10 aircraft would form the core of the airline’s expansion plans and will be based at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (LTSAAS) in Subang, Selangor. 

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“The scheduled delivery of the first E195-E2 to SKS Airways is January 2024, making SKS Airways the first operator of the Embraer E195-E2 in Southeast Asia,” he said, adding 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, while the signing ceremony was witnessed by Transport Minister Anthony Loke. 

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz also attended the event.

Rohman said the transaction includes a 12-year operating lease agreement, including 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 select the aircraft,” he said.

Rohman also said the prevalence of the Embraer jets at city airports around the world and their low noise emissions make the aircraft a perfect fit for flights in and out of LTSAAS, supporting the government’s aim to establish the airport as Malaysia’s premium city airport and aviation hub.

The E195-E2 jet comes with a seating capacity of 136 passengers and about seven hours of flight range.

Meanwhile, Embraer chief commercial officer Martyn Holmes said the Brazilian airframer is looking forward to more collaborations and partnerships in Malaysia as the country grows to become a major aerospace hub.

— BERNAMA