Embraer announces that Sahara Africa Aviation, Africa’s leading provider of end to end aviation services, has signed a multi-year Pool Program Agreement for spare parts and support covering more than 500 components for their two recently acquired Embraer ERJ 145 jets.

Based in Nelspruit at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in South Africa, Sahara also has the world’s largest fleet of Embraer 120 Brasilia twin-turboprop;

Operating and leasing out a fleet of 14 E120 aircraft to regional airlines and corporate clients throughout Africa.

Sahara holds an Air Operating Certificate (AOC) as well as an Air Maintenance Organization (AMO) certification under the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) regulations and is regularly HART & OPG audited. This enables them to provide contract services to the oil, gas and mining sectors as well as regional airline operators.

Embraer aircraft have been operating in Africa since 1978, when the first Bandeirante turboprop arrived on the continent. The company continues to consolidate its presence in the region’s fast-growing aviation industry offering the best solutions in services and support to its customers. Currently, there are 150 Embraer aircraft in operation with 43 airlines in 22 African countries.

“We are humbled and proud that Sahara has chosen to place its trust in us to support its fleet, further reinforcing Embraer’s commitment to customers in the region with TechCare portfolio of solutions.

Embraer’s Pool Program leverages increased competitiveness providing repairable solutions through reduced lead times and costs allowing Sahara to focus on aircraft operations.

You fly, we support!”, says John Linn, Embraer Vice President Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Commercial Aviation.

“Sahara Aviation has for many years enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Embraer with our existing EMB 120 fleet. As the needs of our clients grew in wanting bigger capacity aircraft, Sahara had no hesitation in turning to Embraer for our ERJ 145 acquisitions.

The pool program was a natural fit that offers a sensible, cost effective and practical parts solution to our business together with their expertise and support in training, monitoring, advice and problem solving. Sahara looks forward to a bright future underpinned by Embraer’s technical and parts support”, says Trevor Brotherton, Sahara Aviation owner and Managing Director.