Air Côte d’Ivoire has signed a firm order for four Embraer E175 aircraft, with purchase rights for an additional eight, as the West African carrier seeks to modernize its fleet and enhance regional connectivity.
The agreement was announced on November 17, 2025, during the Dubai Airshow 2025 and will be added to Embraer’s Q4 2025 backlog.
The E175s will be configured with 76 seats in a two-class layout, including 12 seats in Business Class. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.
“Perfectly adapted to the size of African markets”
Air Côte d’Ivoire plans to operate the jets on domestic and regional routes as it gradually phases out its Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 turboprop fleet. The airline selected the E175 for its higher speed, longer range, larger cargo hold, and improved passenger comfort compared to turboprops, providing the carrier with a more flexible platform for markets across West and Central Africa.
The new aircraft are also expected to strengthen connectivity through Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan, where the airline recently launched long-haul flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
“This order marks a significant step in our fleet development strategy,” said Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d’Ivoire. “The Embraer E175 is perfectly suited to our domestic and regional ambitions. Its capacity is perfectly adapted to the size of African markets.”
Embraer strengthens its position in Africa
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said the addition of Air Côte d’Ivoire reinforces Embraer’s leadership in the up-to-150-seat category on the continent.
According to Embraer, 250 of its aircraft are currently in service with 56 operators across Africa. Over the past decade, the manufacturer’s African fleet has grown at a compound annual rate of 7.5 percent, giving Embraer a 31% share of the continent’s market for aircraft with up to 150 seats.
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