American Plane Maker, Boeing has revealed it has gotten orders from Saudi’s Flyadeal and a new Nigerian Airline, Green Africa Airways.
Boeing said the Nigerian deal is the largest ever signed with any African aviation company. It said the company has ordered for 50 of its new 737 MAX, with another 50 to be delivered at a later date.
The 737 MAX 8 is a 189-seater aircraft.
The deal from Green Airways and Saudi’s Flyadeal has seen Boeing further dwarfing Airbus’ orders for the year, with a bitter rivalry existing between the two plane makers.
According to Boeing, Green Africa Airways Founder/CEO, Babawande Afolabi said the Nigerian end of the deal was a strong sign of growing African entrepreneurial dynamism and resilience.
Boeing saw that deal as a step towards construction of a “solid” Pan-African network, adding the Africa aviation sector has “exceptional” potential.
ALEDEH gathered that the new airline, which is based in Lagos, Nigeria, Green Africa Airways has received its Air Transport License from the Nigerian government and is almost set to begin operations.
A sum of $11.7bn has reportedly been spent on the airplanes.
The new airline is anchored by a group of senior industry leaders led by Tom Horton, former Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, William Shaw, Founder and former CEO of VivaColombia and VirasbVahidi, former CCO of American Airlines.
”This airline is going to be huge and we can’t wait,” the source added.