By: ThinkBusiness Africa
Air Senegal, the flag carrier of Senegal, said on Monday it will order nine Boeing 737 MAX airplanes, marking the airline’s largest-ever fleet purchase and its first direct order from Boeing in over two decades.
The agreement for the 737-8 model jets is central to the West African carrier’s aggressive strategy to strengthen and modernize its fleet as it seeks to expand its footprint across regional and intercontinental networks.
Air Senegal plans to deploy the new 737 MAX aircraft to support the expansion of its network in Europe and to launch new direct routes from its hub in Dakar to destinations in the Middle East and the Americas.
The 737 MAX’s capabilities, including its range and efficiency, are seen as key enablers for this growth.
For Boeing, this order is an important win in the competitive African market, which its 2025 Commercial Market Outlook forecasts will require more than 1,200 new airplanes over the next two decades, with single-aisle jets accounting for over 70% of those deliveries.
This commitment for the 737 MAX marks a significant moment, as it is Air Senegal’s first Boeing order since the former national airline, Air Senegal International, last purchased a Boeing jet in 2004. The finalization of this commitment, along with details on the delivery schedule and financing, is expected in the coming months.
