Afrijet signs order for one ATR 42-600 and one option
Afrijet will operate the aircraft under the livery of the newly formed FlyGabon
Toulouse, 20 September 2024 â Gabonese airline Afrijet, leader in Central Africa, signed a firm order for one ATR 42-600, with an option for one more, with worldâs number one regional aircraft manufacturer ATR. The aircraft will replace Afrijetâs former generation ATR 42-500, offering advanced passenger amenities to serve the regional air travel needs of the Gabonese communities. It will join FlyGabonâs fleet of two ATR 72-600. The delivery of the first aircraft is planned for 2025, and the option is to be delivered in 2026.
Launched in 2024, FlyGabonâs ambition is to further enhance affordable regional mobility across the country and boost the national economy, progressively benefitting from the restoration of provincial airports. The ATR 42-600 will be decisive in ensuring all Gabonese communities benefit from quick, reliable and affordable travel options.
The ideal platform to serve the most remote communities, the ATR 42-600 boasts the lowest cost per trip in its category. With a 30% reduction in fuel consumption compared to similar-sized regional jets and the ability to operate in challenging environments, the ATR 42-600 excels in both environmental performance and operational flexibility.
âThe acquisition of this ATR 42-600 represents a significant step forward in FlyGabonâs fleet development. The aircraft will replace Afrijetâs ATR 42-500, currently under maintenance and scheduled to leave the fleet next yearâ, stated Nyl Moret-Mba, Afrijetâs General Manager. âEquipped with 46 seats and cutting-edge technologies, we firmly believe that we have selected the most suitable aircraft model to address the unique demands of passenger traffic and to align with the airport infrastructure across our provinces.â
âAs we continue our successful partnership with Afrijet, we are honored to support the launch of FlyGabon. This agreement showcases our commitment to delivering the most cost-effective, versatile and lowest-emission regional aircraft, while contributing to our partnersâ growth and enhancing affordable regional mobility. The combination of ATR 42 and 72 models will offer FlyGabon maximum flexibility for efficient operations in the long term.â added Alexis Vidal, ATRâs SVP Commercial.
About Afrijet
A Gabonese company born in 2004 in Libreville, Afrijet became in 2019 the first airline in the CEMAC zone. A historic charter player, the company has developed a regular regional air transport network since October 2016. IOSA certified since 2020, Afrijet employs 320 employees in Gabon, Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Benin and Sao Tome and Principe , and operates a fleet of turboprops from the European manufacturer ATR. Afrijet attaches great importance to the values ââof safety, reliability and punctuality, which have made it its trademark in the world of African air transport. Afrijet is 56% owned by Fly Gabon Holding, the financial vehicle of the Gabonese Republic in terms of aviation.
About FlyGabon
Created in 2024, FlyGabon is the Gabonese national flag carrier. With a modern fleet made up of two ATR 72-600 and offering an attractive price range, FlyGabon is committed to offering reliable and affordable services throughout Gabon. The aircraft are operated by the airline Afrijet. FlyGabon began operations with a first commercial flight on August 31, 2024.
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About ATR
ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72, the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company is to accelerate sustainable connections for people, communities and businesses, no matter how remote. Flown by some 200 airlines in over 100 countries, ATR aircraft opened 160 new routes in 2023, facilitating the development of territories and enabling access to crucial services like healthcare and education. Thanks to ATRâs focus on continuous innovation and the intrinsic efficiency of the turboprop technology, ATR aircraft are the most advanced, versatile, cost-effective and lowest-emission regional aircraft on the market, emitting 45% less CO2 than similar-size regional jets. In January 2022, we flew the first ever commercial aircraft using 100% SAF in both engines. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.