The Gabonese government has taken control of Afrijet, acquiring a 56% majority stake through its new holding company, Fly Air Gabon, effectively making it the national airline of Central Africa’s Gabon.
According to timesaerospace.aero, Afrijet has been profitable since its creation, in 2004, by a group of Gabonese investors and the company has developed a successful hybrid business and commercial aviation model.
Since 2016 Afrijet has built a solid regional air transport network and for the past five years it has been the leading airline in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).
READ: Aviation: Gabon Acquires Majority Stake in Afrijet Business Service, Unveils FlyGabon as New National Carrier
The company is taking a new step with the decision of the Gabonese authorities to pool the country’s know-how and skills to build a new national company, Fly Air Gabon, relying on Afrijet’s existing expertise, network and infrastructure.
“Welcoming state ownership – and becoming its standard bearer -involves aligning the development strategies of the country and the company. We intend to reduce costs and thereby prices, without losing the DNA of private management,” explains Marc Gaffajoli, general administrator of Afrijet for around ten years.
Fly Gabon plans to acquire new medium-haul aircraft while Afrijet will consolidate its fleet to serve domestic and regional routes.
