Aircraft

Start-up national carrier Senegal Airlines is intending to acquire two Airbus A330s and four A320s for its initial fleet.

The airline, details of which were disclosed at the Dubai Air Show, is intended to replace the failed Air Senegal International venture with Royal Air Maroc.

Senegal Airlines has signed a letter of intent to purchase the six jets.

The carrier, which will be 64%-owned by the private sector, is to begin operations from the Senegalese capital Dakar next year, initially with leased aircraft.

© Senegal Airlines

Senegalese air transport minister Karim Wade says the Airbus fleet will enable the carrier to become a "major player in the African aviation market".