AirKenya receives first Dash 8-200

Safari operator AirKenya (P2, Nairobi Wilson) has taken delivery of one DHC-8-200 (msn 516) on lease from Elix Aviation Capital. The aircraft previously registered as N361PH has been cancelled from the US register and is pending registration in Kenya, the lessor confirmed. The DHC-8-202 is first of its type in the AirKenya fleet and the first to be leased from Elix, which announced that it was expanding its leasing services in the African market. The Dublin-based lessor last year delivered its second DHC-8-Q200 to Safarilink Aviation (F2, Nairobi Wilson) of Kenya, following the 2019 delivery of one ATR42-500 to Afrijet Business Service (J7, Libreville) in Libreville, Gabon. Elix has a diversified lease portfolio comprised of Bombardier Aerospace (BBA, Montréal Trudeau) and Avions de Transport Régional (EVX, Toulouse Blagnac) turboprops with more than 20 lessees worldwide. AirKenya operates charter and scheduled flights into Kenyan National Parks and reserves. Apart from the new arrival, it operates a fleet of eight aircraft, including three 16-seat DHC-6-300s aged between 43 and 46 years old; two 50-seater DHC-7-100s both aged around 39 years; and three eight-year-old Cessna (single turboprop) 208B GC EX Grand Caravans. The new aircraft, once configured, will be incorporated into its flight schedule, providing a more comfortable option than the Cessna Caravan, a company spokesperson said. It currently operates daily services to each of the following: Amboseli, Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Maasai Mara Keekorok, Maasai Mara Kichwa Tembo, Maasai Mara Musiara, Maasai Mara Ol Seki, Maasai Mara Serena, Nanyuki, Ol Kiombo, and Samburu, according to the ch-aviation schedules module.