This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
Published on November 18, 2019, Air Senegal is poised to acquire eight Airbus A220-300 planes for a staggering $730 million. The memorandum of understanding, however, remains subject to a final contract.
The acquisition is part of Air Senegal's ambitious plan to establish a regional hub near Dakar, the capital city of Senegal.
As the flag carrier of the Republic of Senegal, Air Senegal was created in 2016 through the state-owned investment arm Caisse des Dépots et Consignation du Sénégal. The airline replaced Senegal Airlines, which was shut down by the government due to excessive debt.
Since its inception, Air Senegal has made significant strides in expanding its fleet and services. The airline commenced domestic flights on May 14, 2018, with two brand new ATR72-600s. It later leased two Airbus A319s from Lessors Avolon and Apollo in the fourth quarter of 2018 and started deploying to several regional destinations.
By June 2019, Air Senegal had added a third A319 jet to its fleet, enabling it to serve regional destinations such as Abidjan, Cotonou, and Conakry.
Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation, is a leading manufacturer of civil and military aerospace products worldwide. In 2018, it stood as the world's second-largest aerospace and defence company, behind only its primary competitor, Boeing.
