Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has welcomed the Togo based carrier, ASKY Airlines, to the 737 MAX family following the delivery of two new jets.
The African airline, which operates across 25 countries in West and Central Africa, confirmed on September 1, that it had officially received two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
ASKY celebrated the new arrivals with a welcoming ceremony at Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW), where the two new jets were blasted with the traditional water salute.
The two Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have been leased to the airline by lessor AerCap Holdings following an agreement signed between the two parties.
On August 21, 2023, it was announced that the Togolese state had taken a 14.39% stake in ASKY Airlines.
The first 737 MAX 8, registered ET-BAR, is 4.9 years old according to Planespotters.net and was once operated by the Chinese carrier, Okay Airways.
AerCap Holdings took back the aircraft in March 2023, before it was flown to Togo on August 22, 2023.
The second 737 MAX 8 aircraft, registered ET-BAQ, is 5.2 years old and was also originally operated by Okays Airways. The plane arrived at LFW on August 24, 2023.
The planes use “ET” due to Ethiopian Airlines being a significant shareholder in ASKY.
The ASKY network currently covers 27 destinations and operates 214 weekly flights with an average of 22,000 passengers carried per week.
Its fleet consists of four 737-700s and 10 737-800s, plus the two new jets.