Afrijet will operate the aircraft under the livery of the newly formed FlyGabon

Toulouse, 20 September 2024 – Gabonese airline Afrijet, leader in Central Africa, signed a firm order for one ATR 42-600, with an option for one more, with world’s number one regional aircraft manufacturer ATR. The aircraft will replace Afrijet’s former generation ATR 42-500, offering advanced passenger amenities to serve the regional air travel needs of the Gabonese communities. It will join FlyGabon’s 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, FlyGabon’s 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. 

“The acquisition of this ATR 42-600 represents a significant step forward in FlyGabon’s fleet development. The aircraft will replace Afrijet’s ATR 42-500, currently under maintenance and scheduled to leave the fleet next year”, stated Nyl Moret-Mba, Afrijet’s General Manager. “Equipped 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.”

“As 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 partners’ 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.” added Alexis Vidal, ATR’s SVP Commercial.