Fort Lauderdale native commercial aircraft lessor Azorra Aviation has signed an order for 20 new Embraer E2 family aircraft with purchase rights for a further 30 jets. The deal has a list price value of $3.9 billion, and deliveries are set to begin in 2023.

Adding to a portfolio of Embraer jets

Florida-based Azorra has ambitious plans for the future and an optimistic outlook for its market segment. With this weeks' Embraer order, the lessor has signed up for over 40 new planes that will begin arriving this summer.

“This commitment underscores our belief in the E2; a modern aircraft family with superior economics and environmental performance, providing Azorra with a compelling opportunity to build a position of leadership in the markets we serve,” John Evans, Azorra CEO, said in a statement.

A regional jet specialist, Azorra Aviation already has 20 Embraer jets in its portfolio. The company also currently owns and leases four Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Furthermore, it just recently placed an order for 20 more of the popular little jet. Moreover, it is venturing into a more premium segment, expecting delivery of the TwoTwenty ACJ220, the business jet version of the A220-100.

Azorra-airbus-A220-order
Azorra has included two ACJ TwoTwenties in its order. Photo: Airbus

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Flexibility of capacity

In keeping with the times and the current need for agility, the order allows Azorra to choose between the E190-E2 and its larger sibling E195-E2. The former is 36.2 meters (118 feet 9 inches) and has a maximum capacity of 106 passengers. Meanwhile, the E195-E2 is 41.5 meters (136 feet 2 inches) and seats a maximum of 132 people.

The lessor recently completed a sale-and-leaseback agreement for five E195-E2 aircraft with resurrected Canadian carrier Porter Airlines, with the first delivery expected this summer. The operator will be the North American launch customer for the type, wanting to operate up to 80 of the aircraft. It has reached agreements for a total of 19 from a variety of lessors, looking to form long-term partnerships.

Embraer E2 jet
The order allows for flexibility between the E190-E2 and the larger E195-E2 aircraft. Photo: Embraer

At the end of the third quarter last year, Embraer had a firm order backlog of five E190-E2s and 154 of the more popular E195-E2. Arjan Meijer, CEO of the Brazilian OEM, expressed the company's excitement over the trajectory of the program and the renewed collaboration with Azorra,

“We thank Azorra again for their selection of the E2, after recently completing a sale-leaseback transaction with Porter Airlines for five new E195-E2 aircraft. Azorra offers an exciting and innovative approach to the market, with a fierce focus on customer needs that align solidly with Embraer’s deserved reputation for outstanding customer care."

Have you flown on any of Embraer's E2 jets yet? What was the experience like compared to the previous generation? Leave a comment in the section below and let us know.