• Equatorial Guinea plans fleet expansion for Ceiba Intercontinental revival

• Government considering purchase of four to five new ATR aircraft

• Plan aims restore domestic and regional routes across Central Africa

Equatorial Guinea's government is looking to expand the fleet of its national airline, Ceiba Intercontinental, as part of a broader effort to revive the carrier's operations and develop regional routes. A meeting took place on Wednesday, March 11, bringing together government officials and representatives of European aircraft manufacturer ATR.

Discussions covered several acquisition options, including the purchase of new aircraft, the refurbishment of ATR planes already in its fleet, and the acquisition of used aircraft. Following the talks, authorities are considering purchasing four to five new aircraft while keeping the existing fleet in service and returning grounded planes to operation.

The strategy is intended to allow the carrier to improve service on its domestic routes to Bata, Mongomo, Annobón and Corisco. It is also expected to help restore certain sub-regional routes, including services to Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Togo, Benin and the Republic of Congo.

The initiative is part of a recovery plan for the national carrier, whose operations have been severely affected by its ageing fleet and the grounding of several aircraft. Facing stiff competition from regional airlines including ASKY Airlines, Air Côte d'Ivoire and ECAir, Ceiba Intercontinental has been accumulating losses for several years. Those financial difficulties are compounded by governance issues.

The airline's effective revival will depend on several factors, including the government's ability to address its governance issues, secure the financing needed to modernize the fleet, and rebuild the confidence of passengers and partners.

Henoc Dossa