New Nigerian Aviation Startup “Green Africa” Begins Ticket Sales

A Nigerian startup in the aviation sector, Green Africa Airways has started the sales of its tickets on Tuesday.

The airline which was founded by Babawande Afolabi, who also doubles as the CEO of the company is based in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub.

Green Africa currently has two aircrafts in its fleet both acquired in April and May respectively and says it expects the number to increase to 15 by the end of 2022.

The airline says its value and strength is in its lower fares in comparison with other airlines in the country. While it has opened its website for booking, operations are only expected to begin on the 24th of June.

With a key focus on its Lagos market, its network is in six local destinations including Port Hacourt, Ilorin, Abuja, Owerri, Akure and Enugu.

A False Start

The company’s CEO, Afolabi, a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and an MBA holder from Stanford University launched the company in 2015 but only got its operating licence from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in 2018. Originally billed to have begun operations in 2019, it was delayed due to factors not disclosed.

In late 2018, Green Africa wrote a letter of intent or Boeing asking for 50 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircrafts and the option of 50 additional aircrafts, which was the largest intent ever received by the company from an African airline.

The $11.7bn intent was however withdrawn in February 2020, as the company chose a different route, opting for an MoU that will see Boeing deliver 50 Airbus A220-300s which if delivered will still stand as the biggest by any airline on the continent.