Springbok Express | Embraer E190 | ZS-VPO | 2015-present

Springbok is the flag carrier of South Africa, founded in 1937. The larger Springbok Group operates over 100 aircraft, with nearly 60 of them belonging to wholly-owned regional subsidiary Springbok Express. The subsidiary itself was formed in 1992 under the name Antelope, as an independent regional airline connecting the various communities of South Africa as well as serving low-demand international routes. In 2005 it was purchased by Springbok, and in 2015 was renamed to its current name, with the former one serving as its callsign until today.

Springbok Express operates 57 aircraft, with a fleet comprised of Fokker 70s, BAe Jetstream 41s, Q400s, Embraer ERJs and Embraer E-Jets. The E190 was originally ordered in 2011 to replace the ageing Fokker 100 fleet, while the smaller E175 was purchased in 2016, serving as the successor to the smaller Fokker 70. Today the E-Jets serve as the backbone of the Springbok Express fleet, operating across South Africa and helping the airline expand its network with lower-demand point-to-point flights to neighboring countries. With the next generation E190-E2 arriving from late 2019, the E-Jets are here to stay.

ZS-VPO is the 4th E190 delivered to Springbok Express, entering service in May 2013. It is configured with 9 Business Class and 88 Economy Class seats. Notably, this aircraft operated the first regularly scheduled commercial flight to St. Helena on October 14th, 2017, from Johannesburg via Windhoek, Namibia.