Nigeria’s Green Africa Airways orders 50 A220-300s, largest-ever deal from Africa

February 14, 2020: Lagos-based Green Africa Airways signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 50 A220-300, one of the major orders to be placed globally for the A220 programme and the largest-ever from the African continent.

Previously, the startup airline announced plans to buy 100 of Boeing’s troubled 737 MAX jets.

Babawande Afolabi, founder & CEO of Green Africa Airways said, “Together with Airbus, we are incredibly proud to announce the largest order ever for the A220 from the African continent. The Green Africa story is a story of entrepreneurial boldness, strategic foresight and an unwavering commitment to using the power of air travel to create a better future”.

Speaking at Singapore Airshow, Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer added, “We are excited about the Green Africa project, its legitimate ambition and its professionalism, evidenced by their most discerning choice for their operating assets. The unique characteristics of the A220 will allow the airline to unlock destinations and route pairs that previously would have been considered non-viable. We look forward to our partnership with Green Africa and to accompany their development with the most efficient aircraft in its class.”

The A220 delivers unbeatable fuel efficiency and widebody passenger comfort in a single-aisle aircraft. The A220 brings together state-of-the-art aerodynamics, advanced materials and Pratt & Whitney’s latest-generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines to offer at least 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat compared to previous generation aircraft, along with significantly lower emissions and a reduced noise footprint. The A220 offers the performance of larger single-aisle aircraft. At the end of January 2020, the A220 had accumulated 658 orders.

Other airlines flying this type of aircraft are Air Tanzania and Egypt Air.