African carrier Air Senegal has become the latest customer to sign for the Airbus A330neo, with a tentative agreement for two of the type.
Airbus has disclosed the deal – a memorandum of understanding – during the Dubai air show.
Airbus
Air Senegal has not identified which of the two A330neo variants, the -800 or -900, it intends to acquire, although the -900 has attracted far higher order numbers. The image released by Airbus (above) with the order announcement illustrates an A330-900 in Air Senegal colours.
The carrier is headed by a former Airbus executive, Philippe Bohn, who was previously a senior business-development executive with the airframer.
Air Senegal plans to use the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered aircraft to develop a medium- and long-haul network. It becomes the first African operator to choose the A330neo.
It has previously signed for ATR 72-600 turboprops. ATR is also part-owned by Airbus.
Bohn says the A330neo has "proven itself to be the right aircraft", with low operating costs and high levels of comfort.
Air Senegal is the latest operator to emerge in the African state, following the demise of Senegal Airlines and Air Senegal International.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
