The Zimbabwean government is reportedly in talks with ECC Leasing over the proposed lease of five Embraer Regional Jets, The Sunday Mail has reported quoting informed sources.

However, Zimbabwean Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo has denied the claims stating that government had not spoken to the Brazilians as claimed.

“The issue at hand is that the planes that I think we may lease are Embraers because they are small and they carry about 50 passengers," he told the paper. "I am in the middle of negotiations to lease planes; that is a fact. The negotiations are very advanced at the moment."

Embraer declined to comment on the report.

As it stands, it is uncertain where the aircraft, if acquired, would be placed. As previously reported, in addition to Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International), a new carrier Zimbabwe Airways (Harare International) has been established with the aid of Malaysian investors. A quartet of former Malaysia Airlines B777-200(ER)s is said to have been leased with the aim of resuscitating Zimbabwe's longhaul connectivity. As such, the Embraers are seen as a means of regaining regional African coverage lost to the likes of South African Airways, Kenya Airways, and even Fastjet.