Green Africa Airways
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Founded | 15 June 2015 | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 12 August 2021 | ||||||
Operating bases | Murtala Muhammed International Airport | ||||||
Fleet size | 3 | ||||||
Headquarters | Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria | ||||||
Key people | Babawande Afolabi, CEO | ||||||
Website | greenafrica.com |
Green Africa Airways Ltd is a Nigerian start-up airline, based in Lagos, Nigeria[1] which was founded in 2015 and commenced flights on 12 August 2021.[2]
History[]
Green Africa Airways was founded on 15 June 2015 by Babawande Afolabi, who serves as the chief executive officer. It was a new low-cost carrier targeting the Nigerian air travel market.[3] Operations were originally planned to start in 2019, but have since been delayed. In mid-2018, the airline received the necessary operating licenses from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.[4] Green Africa's Board of directors consists of industry veterans including Tom Horton, former chairman and CEO of American Airlines; William Shaw, current CEO of Interjet; Virasb Vahidi, former CCO of American Airlines; Wale Adeosun, founder and CEO of Kuramo Capital; and Gbenga Oyebode, founder and Chairman of Aluko & Oyebode.[5]
In late 2018, Green Africa announced a letter of intent for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with an option for a further 50 aircraft. It was the largest order intention Boeing had ever received from an African airline.[6] The order was valued $11.7 billion, according to list prices. However, this letter of intent was withdrawn in February 2020,[4] and the airline instead opted to sign a memorandum of understanding for 50 Airbus A220-300s, which - if actually placed - would also be the largest order Airbus has ever received from an African carrier.[7] Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2021.[4]
In order to bridge the gap between the first delivery, Green Africa has agreed to lease three A220-300s from GTLK Europe, so that operations would start in 2020, but these were also not delivered.[8] In August 2020, Green Africa announced ex-Chief Financial Officer of SpiceJet - Kiran Koteshwar as the new Group Chief Financial officer starting from September 2020.[9]
On 12 August 2021 the airline commenced operations with the first flight touching down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria.[2]
Legal Issues[]
In August 2021, a US-based person filed suit against Green Africa Airways and its founder Babawande Afolabi for $30 million, alleging that he was not provided with the agreed upon stake in the business for his initial investment.[10]
Destinations[]
Green Africa Airways intends to initially serve the Nigerian domestic market with plans to further expand service across the African continent.[11]
Fleet[]
As of April 2021, the Green Africa Airways fleet was planned to consist of the following aircraft :
Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A220-300 | 3 | 50 | 160 | Deliveries were to commence in 2020, including 3 leased aircraft.[8] Order deferred.[12] |
Airbus A321XLR | 0 | 10 | 235 | |
Airbus A330-900 | 0 | 4 | TBA | |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 0 | 100 | 189 | Order placed in 2018, but deferred due to grounding of the aircraft type.[6] |
ATR 72-600 | 5 | 10 | 72 | [13][14][12] |
Total | 8 | 174 |
In April 2021, the airline took delivery of its first two ATR72-600 aircraft in order to commence certification flights with Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.[15]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Green Africa Airways". Retrieved 2020-02-21.
- ^ a b ch-aviation.com - Green Africa Airlines 13 February 2021
- ^ "Green Africa Airways Ltd". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Ezugwu, Obinna. "Price War: Green Africa Entry Rattles Aviation Sector - Business Hallmark". hallmarknews.com. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
- ^ Airways, Green Africa. "Green Africa Firms Up 2020 Launch Plans, Secures Additional Three Brand New A220-300s From GTLK Europe". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
- ^ a b "Boeing, Green Africa Airways Announce Landmark Commitment for up to 100 737 MAX aircraft - Dec 21, 2018". MediaRoom. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
- ^ "Airbus and Green Africa announce strategic partnership with MoU for 50 A220s". Airbus. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
- ^ a b "Nigeria's Green Africa Airways adds A220s for 2020 launch". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2020-02-23.
- ^ "Green Africa Welcomes Kiran Koteshwar as New Group Chief Financial Officer".
- ^ "Airline's 'co-founder' demands 55 per cent shares". The Nation (Nigeria). 24 August 2021.
- ^ "Nigeria's Green Africa Airways will build network with A220-300s". Routesonline. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
- ^ a b "Green Africa to Deploy 15 Aircraft Across Nigeria". Nigeria Investment Promotion Center. 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Nigeria's Green Africa Airways to debut with ATR72-600s". CH-Aviation. 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Green Africa Airways set to commence operations". GH-Aviation. 14 January 2021.
- ^ "Green Africa set to take delivery of two ATR72-600s to finalize certification". NigerianFlightDeck.com. 9 April 2021.
- Airlines of Nigeria
- Companies based in Lagos
- Airlines established in 2015
- Low-cost carriers
- Transport in Lagos