Camair-Co, based in Douala, is poised to expand its fleet with two additional DHC-8-Q400 aircraft following the ratification of an air transport agreement between Cameroon and Canada. This strategic move aims to enhance the airline’s domestic and regional operations, as reported by the economic news outlet Investir au Cameroon. While these plans have not been independently verified by other sources, the Cameroon Transport Ministry has confirmed the National Assembly’s adoption of the bill via social media.
The air transport agreement, a significant development in international relations, was initially signed on June 1, 2022, in Yaoundé and is part of a broader strategy to boost Cameroon’s aviation sector. The agreement was finalized after preliminary discussions held during the tenth ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event in Colombo, Sri Lanka, back in 2017.
Camair-Co currently operates a diverse fleet, including two leased Dash-8-Q400s from Regional One, and its expansion plans are in line with a comprehensive fleet renewal strategy initiated in 2017 with Boeing Consulting. This strategy includes the phased acquisition of new generation aircraft, aiming to replace older models and enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience.
Masséna Ngalle Bibehe, a spokesperson for Camair-Co, highlighted that the new agreement would also strengthen the airline’s collaboration with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, the manufacturer of the Q400, which took over the Dash-8 program from Bombardier Aerospace in 2019.
The strategic fleet expansion and the international air transport agreement mark significant milestones for Camair-Co as it aims to improve service offerings and expand its market presence in the competitive regional aviation sector. The addition of new aircraft is part of Camair-Co’s long-term vision to enhance connectivity and support economic growth through improved air transport links between Cameroon and Canada.
