Nigeria’s Green Africa brings in ATR 72s for start-up

Nigerian start-up carrier Green Africa Airways has received its first aircraft, an ATR 72-600, at its base in the city of Lagos. Green Africa is taking three ATRs through an agreement with ACIA Aero Leasing, which is part of Mauritius-based ACIA Aero Capital and has leasing offices in several countries including Ireland and France. The initial turboprop (5N-GAE) was originally delivered to Brazilian carrier Azul in 2012 and subsequently operated by Air Tahiti. It arrived at Lagos Murtala Muhammed airport on 23 April bearing the temporary South African registration ZS-XZD. Green Africa says a second former Azul aircraft and a third ATR, have also undergone painting and that the Nigerian carrier is on the “final lap” of the air operator’s certificate process. This will include demonstration flights on the network. CE Babawande Afolabi, the airline’s founder, says ACIA has been a “very supportive partner”.<br/>