Green Africa Airways planned with Boeing 737 Max. But now the Nigerian airline has changed its mind and wants to buy 50 Airbus A220s.
Babawande Afolabi was actually planning with the Boeing 737 Max. The founder of Green Africa Airways wanted to order up to 100 copies. He signed a letter of intent for a firm order of 50 737 Max 8 and an option for 50 more jets in December 2018.
But the intention is hardly a contract for Boeing. Airbus announced on Thursday (February 13) that Green Africa had signed a letter of intent to purchase 50 A220-300s. “We are extremely proud to announce the largest A220 order from the African continent,” said airline founder Afolabi in the message.
Not yet an aeronautical operator certificate
The new Nigerian airline claims to enable “safe, comfortable and affordable” travel, thereby promoting development in Nigeria and Africa. The first step will be to offer domestic flights in particular. Regional routes are added later.
Green Africa already has the operating license. However, the airline is still waiting for the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to be issued. However, it has already secured the financing – through the New York finance company Kuramo Capital.
Top-class team
Green Africa has also put together a top-class team. Jag Singh, former head of Caribbean Airways, is operational director of Green Africa Airways. At the same time, founder Afolabi – he studied at the Stanford Business School in the USA and worked for American Airlines and the investment bank Morgan Stanley in London – put together an advisory board that included Tom Horton, ex-chief of American Airlines, and William Shaw, ex Chief of Viva Colombia.
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