Nairobi-based cargo airline Astral Aviation has announced that it will no longer proceed with its initial plans to acquire two Embraer E190F freighters, a project that was originally slated for launch.
The decision was confirmed by Sanjeev Gadhia, founder and CEO of Astral Aviation, in an interview with Newsaero, as reported by Aeroin, one of our media partners.
Plans for the E190F program, which were first discussed during the Farnborough Airshow in July 2022, will not move forward as expected.
Gadhia stated, "We have no immediate plans for the E190F, but we may reconsider in the future, as the value proposition of the aircraft no longer aligns with our fleet strategy for the intra-African market."
The Embraer E-Jets Freighter Program
Embraer launched the E-Jets Freighter program in March 2022 to meet growing demand in the air cargo sector. The E190F offers a payload capacity of 10.7 tons, accommodating up to seven ULD containers on the main deck. Meanwhile, the E195F provides 12.3 tons of capacity, with space for eight ULD containers.
According to Embraer, the E190F offers 50% more cargo volume than larger turboprop freighters, while reducing operating costs by up to 30% compared to similar narrow-body aircraft. The first E190F delivery was made to Regional One, a leasing company that will place the aircraft with an undisclosed launch operator.
Astral Aviation's Fleet Expansion Strategy
Despite dropping the E190F acquisition, Astral Aviation remains focused on rapidly expanding its cargo fleet. Gadhia revealed that the airline plans to double its fleet by the end of this year, with the addition of a Boeing 737F and a Boeing 767F.
Astral Aviation already operates both models:
- Boeing 737F (MSN 27082), leased from AVMAX.
- Boeing 767F (MSN 22217), acquired last year through a lease-purchase agreement with AVMAX.
A Growing Network Across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia
Astral Aviation operates a diverse network of scheduled and charter cargo flights within Africa, as well as connections to the Middle East and Asia.
The airline benefits from interline partnerships with multiple carriers and collaborates with global and regional cargo operators. These agreements help consolidate shipments at key hubs, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, as well as airports in Dubai, Johannesburg, and Liège.
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