since 1976
since 1976
Malaysia’s new commercial carrier, SKS Airways entered strategic partnerships with two leading aviation players, Embraer Commercial Aviation and Azorra for the leasing of 10 Embraer E195-E2s, at the 16th Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition. Based on the list price of an E195-E2, the 10 jets are worth more than USD840 million and will pave the way for SKS Airways to unlock new growth opportunities in the region.
The E195-E2s will form the core of SKS Airways’ expansion plans and will be based at Subang Airport, Kuala Lumpur’s (KL) city airport from 2024. The E195-E2 jet is the world’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft with the lowest fuel and noise emissions. It has a range of 2,600nm, the equivalent of about seven hours of flight. The airline’s E195-E2 will be configured with a seating capacity for 136 passengers.
The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered to SKS Airways starting in January 2024, making SKS Airways the first regional airline operating out of Subang. SKS Airways is the first operator of the Embraer E195-E2 in Southeast Asia and is expected to allocate them across its operations. The growing demand for regional routes and the economic performance of the E195-E2 while being more environmentally friendly are among the main drivers for SKS Airways’ decision to select Embraer E195-E2 jets.
The transaction includes a 12-year Operating Lease Agreements for ten Embraer E195-E2s to provide flexibility to SKS Airways to realise its future growth opportunities. The signing also includes the repair and maintenance of the aircraft. The agreements were signed by SKS Airways Director, Dato’ Rohman Ahmad and Mr John Evans, CEO of Azorra for the Lease Agreements, and Johann Bordais, President & CEO of Embraer Services & Support for Embraer Pool Agreement, Recommended Spares Provisioning List Part Agreement and Embraer Collaborative Inventory Planning Programme Agreement.
The signing ceremony took place at LIMA 2023 and was graced by The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta'in Billah.
Other guests of honour include the Minister of Transport, YB Tuan Loke Siew Fook and the Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia, H.E. Mr Ary Norton de Murat Quintella. This marks a significant milestone for SKS Airways as it embarks on a new phase of growth of becoming a leading commercial airline.
Aligned with the Government’s Subang Airport Regeneration Plan (“SARP”) to transform Malaysia’s Subang Airport into a premium city airport and regional aviation hub, SKS Airways is making a strategic move to expand its operations and position itself as a significant player in the region.
SKS Airways selected the Embraer E195-E2, citing its exceptional efficiency, comfort, performance and low noise emissions as the reason behind the decision. E195-E2 is the world’s most efficient single-aisle aircraft with the lowest fuel and noise emissions.
The E-Jets family of aircraft is a city airport specialist - airlines have deployed the E-Jets on routes to and from city airports around the world. For instance, the E-Jets represent 86% of total flights operating in London City Airport.
SKS Airways is committed to revolutionising air travel and providing customers with unparalleled services and experiences. The agreements with these industry players will enable SKS Airways to strengthen its position in the industry and provide customers, especially business travellers with more options.
About SKS Airways
SKS Airways is a regional airline operating in Malaysia. Founded in November 2017, SKS Airways launched its first commercial flight from Subang Airport in January 2022. As part of the SKS Group of companies, SKS Airways is set to reshape the future of aviation by enhancing the connectivity within the region with its new fleet of Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.
About Embraer
Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil. It manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. The company also provides after-sales services & support through a worldwide network of wholly owned entities and authorized agents.
Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 8,000 aircraft. On average, about every 10 seconds an aircraft manufactured by Embraer takes off somewhere in the world, transporting over 145 million passengers a year.
Embraer is the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 150 seats and is the main exporter of high value-added goods in Brazil. The company maintains industrial units, offices, service and parts distribution centers across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Embraer’s APAC headquarters is located in Singapore and its China headquarters is in Beijing.
About Azorra
Azorra is a relationship-driven aircraft lessor that provides leasing, financing, fleet transition and asset management solutions to aircraft investors, financiers, and airline operators worldwide. Azorra’s multi-cultural team reflects the global markets that we serve and includes core competencies in aviation law, aircraft finance, maintenance, marketing, sales, and leasing. Our team is led by seasoned veterans having a shared history of success and is complimented with young professionals that bring fresh perspective, ideas and enthusiasm. Azorra currently owns and manages a fleet of 77 aircraft on lease to 24 operators in 19 countries on 5 continents and has commitments to acquire additional aircraft including orders for new Airbus A220s and Embraer E2s. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with offices in Dublin, Seattle, and Toulouse. For additional information, please visit us at www.azorra.com or on LinkedIn.
