Dlimi Airlines, a relatively new start-up carrier based in southern Morocco, expects to launch its operations in Q3, 2022.
Established in 2020, the airline’s plans include an ambitious domestic and international network. Operating out of Dakhla Airport, the carrier will fly routes in Morocco, West Africa and Europe.
The airline is looking to support its summer launch with a fleet of two Embraer E195-E2s, the largest of Embraer’s E2 models. With a range of 2,600 nautical miles (4,815 km) the E2 complements the airline’s planned route network, which includes destinations such as Casablanca, Dakar, Marrakech, Marseille and Paris.
According to a report from ch-aviation, the airline’s founder Hamza Dlimi is in discussion with Embraer to acquire the aircraft from the Brazilian manufacturer. Dlimi stated: “We would start with two aircraft and see how it goes.”
According to Dlimi, the airline applied for an Operating License from the Direction Générale de l’aviation Civile Maroc (DGAC), Morocco’s civil aviation authority. The airline aims to serve both business and leisure travelers, offering flexible choices as well as a range of package deals.
Embraer’s E2 models have become popular among African airlines looking to expand their domestic and regional operations. Nigeria’s Air Peace became the first E2 operator in Africa after receiving the first of its E2s in the second quarter of 2020 and is interested in operating a fleet of up to 30 E195-E2s in the future.
Based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Airways expects to take delivery of two Embraer E195-E2s in 2022, adding on to a fleet of two E190-E2s which were delivered in Q4 2020.
South Africa-based airline Airlink operates an extensive fleet of about 44 Embraer models, including the ERJ-145, 170 and 190.