Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) has announced it will use its incoming fleet of E190s to serve Pietermaritzburg and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) initially. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows commercial operations with the type began on August 3 with ZS-YAA (msn 19000193).
In a statement, the carrier said the Embraers would gradually assume more routes currently operated by its outgoing fleet of twelve ARJ-85s. As previously announced, the aircraft will also be used on the new Johannesburg O.R. Tambo-Windhoek International-St. Helena route from October 21 onwards.
"The addition of the E-Jet will enable Airlink to operate within the challenging environment of the region while managing capacity and providing for further growth," it said.
The South African domestic and regional specialist is renewing its fleet with eight EMB-190s and three E170s. It is also adding a total of thirty ERJs - E135s, 140s, and 145s - to its fleet by year-end.
