By Seedy Darboe
Africaada airways, an African focused Gambian flag carrier on Friday unveiled one of its fleet of three VIP aircraft at the Banjul International Airport.
According to the chairman of Africaada airways Prince Ebrahim Sanyang, the plane Dassault Falcon 900B is a private jet with a capacity of 15 passengers.
Others include a Dassault Falcon 900EX that carries about 22 passengers and a Hawker 4000 Horizon Business jet.
Chairman Sanyang further revealed that the aircraft have international certifications and approvals of entry into EU and USA airspace where they regularly travel to.
On the suitability of the aircraft for Presidential and other VIP travels, Prince Ebrahim said one of his falcon aircraft type is serving the Amir of Qatar, Royal Malaysian, Governments of Spain, Italy, Bolivia, France, Germany, UAE, Switzerland among others. He continued: “Therefore these aircraft are perfect for our head of state and VIPs too. It will make good sense if the Gambian authorities began looking inward by patronising local investments such as Africaada.”
Sanyang further stated that there are plans for a cargo aircraft as Gambia is currently struggling in that area, adding that plans are already afoot for Boeing 737-200 Cargo aircraft which has already been identified awaiting finalization of the sales agreement.
The Chairman also said Africaada intends to build an aviation capacity.
“Apart from our core airline operations, Africaada Airways has already made commitment to invest USD$140 million towards construction of our own dedicated modern terminal facility (Africcada Airport Village) at Banjul International Airport. Once completed, this will build capacity of BJL as a regional competitive port of choice that offers our passengers with outstanding and unrivalled travel experience,” he said.
The aircraft was visited by Civil Aviation and other senior officials.
