Startup Airline Green Africa Airways Orders 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Aircraft

Simple Flying

By Tom Boon

Published Dec 23, 2018

Nigerian airlines may have to cease operations in the next few days. Photo: Boeing

Any regular Simple Flying reader will be well aware that we love to cover emerging startups. This week, Simple Flying takes a look at the African startup, Green Africa Airways. Based in Lagos, the startup aims to operate as a value airline. The airline already has a full complement of senior staff. Additionally, they have just passed a deal worth US$11.7 billion with Boeing.

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Surprisingly for a startup airline, this marks Africa's largest aircraft agreement. In total, the deal sees the startup ordering 100 B737-MAX8 aircraft. Unfortunately, very few details regarding the new airline are currently available, however, Simple Flying has rounded up what we currently know.

Economic Development Of Nigeria

Following the failure to launch Nigeria Air, Green Africa Airways believe that their operations will contribute to the economic development of Nigeria. In fact, they mention on their website: "Green Africa Airways is a value airline start-up based in Lagos, Nigeria. Through safe, quality and affordable air travel, we seek to profitably make [a] significant contribution to the economic development of Nigeria and the African continent."

The airline has already received its Air Transport License from the Nigerian Authorities. Additionally, according to a Boeing press release, the airline is "anchored" by some faces familiar to the aviation industry. These include "Tom Horton, former Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, William Shaw, Founder and former CEO of VivaColombia and Virasb Vahidi, former CCO of American Airlines."

Large Boeing Order

The large order of Boeing 737 aircraft is made up of two parts. Green Africa has made a firm order of 50 aircraft. Additionally, the airline has placed options for a further 50 B737-Max8s. Speaking about the new order Babawande Afolabi, Founder & CEO, Green Africa Airways, said: "This landmark deal takes us much closer to our long-held dream of building a world-class airline that will unlock a new realm of positive possibilities for millions of customers. Broadly speaking, this deal is a bold symbol of the dynamism, resilience and soaring entrepreneurial drive of the next generation of Nigerians and Africans."

Green Africa Airways Logo. Image: Green Africa Airways

Boeing Beats Airbus For Most Orders

The new B737 has helped to cement Boeing as the manufacturer with the most 2018 orders. Unless an unimaginable Airbus order is placed within the next week, Boeing will win by a fair margin. According to Reuters, at the end of November Airbus had only secured a symbolic 380 aircraft orders. Conversely, Boeing was already at 690 orders for the year at this point. The deal from Green Africa Airways is still to be finalised.

Will you fly with Green Africa Airways when they launch? Let us know in the comments down below!