Malaysian regional airline SKS Airways has signed a deal with lessor Azorra to lease 10 Embraer E195-E2 regional jets. The aircraft will be delivered to SKS starting in 2024 and will be based at Kuala Lumpur's Subang international airport. The E195-E2 is a new-generation regional jet that is more fuel-efficient and has a longer range than previous models. It can seat up to 136 passengers, making it a good fit for SKS's plans to expand its network from Kuala Lumpur.
The deal with Azorra is the first for the E195-E2 in Southeast Asia. SKS is the second customer for the type in the region, after Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot, which ordered nine E190-E2s in February. SKS's director, Rohman Ahmad, said that the airline was "excited to embark on a new phase of growth" with the E195-E2s. He added that the aircraft's "low noise emissions" made it a good fit for operations at Subang Airport, which is located near a residential area.
The Subang Airport Regeneration Plan is expected to see the airport's capacity increase to 8 million passengers per year. This will allow SKS to expand its network and offer more flights to destinations in Southeast Asia and beyond.
In addition to the aircraft lease, SKS has also signed a long-term maintenance agreement with Embraer. Under the agreement, SKS will have access to a parts pool program that includes component exchanges and repair services for more than 300 repairable parts. The commitment from SKS is a vote of confidence in the E195-E2 and its potential in the Southeast Asian market. The aircraft is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for regional air travel in the region.