Nigeria’s Green Africa Airways outlines launch plans

Green Africa Airways (Q9, Lagos) has revealed its domestic network ahead of entry into service from Lagos, pending the finalisation of its certification with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Green Africa will add additional Nigerian cities at a later stage, the company said in a statement. Plans are also underway to establish two more bases outside of Lagos. Founded by Chief Executive Officer Babawande Afolabi in 2016, the start-up on April 23, 2021, took delivery of its first aircraft, ATR72-600 ZS-XZD (msn 1047), leased from ACIA Aero, which will become 5N-GAE on the Nigerian register. Two more of the type are expected to arrive soon, the company confirmed. They are ZS-ESS (msn 1057) – to become 5N-GAA – and ZS-XZC (msn 1076) – to become 5N-GAD. In light of lower traffic volumes and new economic realities post-COVID-19, Green Africa put ambitious previous plans for fifty A220-300s on hold, favouring starting with the Avions de Transport Régional turboprops.