GIG Aviation will acquire two ATR 72-500 freighters to help the cargo company expand its network in Africa.
In a statement, the regional turboprop manufacturer said it will utilize its new freighter capacity to meet the rapid growth of e-commerce in Nigeria. In particular, the airline will bolster its regional operations by strengthening “connections between communities from the different regions and sub regions”.
Based in Lagos, Nigeria, GIG aviation, also referred to as GIG Logistics, is a private courier and logistics services business and a subsidiary of GIG group.
“The acquisition of two ATR 72-500 freighters demonstrates our commitment to provide high standards of delivery services to communities of Africa and Nigeria,” said Adetoro Fowoshere, chief executive officer of GIG Aviation, said. “We are expanding rapidly through local branches, notably in Nigeria, and the entry into service of these aircraft will be significant in allowing us to expand operations with economic efficiency and reliability, key factors for an airline. With our ATR aircraft, we will continue to meet the cargo needs of communities with increased capacity.”
Tarek Ben Omrane, head of Business Development of ATR, said: “We are delighted that GIG Aviation has chosen ATR to expand its network and use its unrivalled performance to support the connectivity and e-commerce growth in Nigeria.”
“We believe that ATR aircraft are the perfect fit for such needs and are happy that the customers of GIG Aviation will benefit from fast efficient services provided by GIG Aviation through the use of our aircraft,” he added.
Today, GIG Aviation offers domestic and international, intra and inter-state delivery services through its local branches in Nigeria, Ghana, the United Kingdom and in the United States.
Airlines in Africa utilizing ATR aircraft models include Lagos-based Overland Airways, Angola-based airline Bestfly Worldwide, and Botswana’s flag carrier, Air Botswana.
Green Africa Airways operates a fleet of three ATR 72-600. The airline took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 aircraft in April 2021. Additionally, Gabon-based Afrijet ordered three ATR 72-600s at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021 to replace its ageing fleet of ATR 72-600s.
According to a press release from the AviAssist Foundation, a non-profit that helps build, support and promote aviation safety in Africa, ATR aircraft are operated in 22 African countries by 30 airlines.
As new airlines and flag carriers emerge in Africa, fleet orders and deliveries across the continent are indicating a strong focus on airlines growing their regional fleet capacities.
