ASKY Plans To Add 2 New Aircraft Per Year But Faces Availability Challenges

Togo-based pan-African airline ASKY plans to add at least two new aircraft annually over the next few years to enhance its fleet and serve new international destinations. However, the lack of aircraft availability and production delays could force the airline to rethink its strategy.

Operating 22 aircraft by 2027

ASKY Airlines, a pan-African carrier and partner of the continent’s largest airline, Ethiopian Airlines, has been in operation for nearly 15 years and has significantly contributed to increasing connectivity and economic activity in West Africa. Flying out of Lomé, the airline has reduced the travel time between several cities in the region. ASKY plans to continue growing its fleet to expand its presence in Africa and open new long-haul routes.

Photo: The Taxi Photographer I Shutterstock.

At AviaDev Africa 2024 held in Windhoek, Namibia, last week, Simple Flying caught up with ASKY Commercial Director Martial Daté Dovéné TEVI-BÉNISSAN. He disclosed that the airline initially planned to add at least two aircraft every year to have a fleet of 20 to 22 aircraft by 2027. While the lack of aircraft availability has affected many airlines worldwide, ASKY is still pushing to implement its plan. Martial Daté Dovéné added,

“The initial plan was to add a minimum of two aircraft per year so we can have around 20 or 22 aircraft by 2027, but getting aircraft on the market has been challenging. At least we have the flexibility to revise our plan because we don’t want to be stuck. When you look into the market for this year, there is almost no availability, mainly because of the delays in delivering new aircraft.”

The plan also includes adding at least two new destinations annually as the airline increases capacity. However, if this cannot be achieved, the airline will add one new aircraft and at least one destination each year. ASKY will also add capacity to existing destinations as it adds more equipment.

Related

How The Airbus A321XLR Could Unlock New Long-Haul Opportunities For Africa

Africa already has a large fleet of new-generation aircraft.

Adding more Boeing 737 MAXs

Just like Ethiopian Airlines, ASKY has been a long-standing Boeing customer. According to ch-aviation’s fleet module, the airline has a fleet of 16 Boeing 737s (14 active; 2 inactive), including 11 B737-800s, two 737-700s, and three 737 MAX 8s. ASKY launched Boeing 737 MAX flights last year after taking delivery of the first two aircraft in August and September. The third MAX joined the fleet in April 2024.

Photo: ASKY Airlines

According to Martial Daté Dovéné, the MAX has been an “incredible” aircraft so far, bringing a lot of savings in terms of fuel and maintenance. The airline has also received support from Boeing experts based in Lomé to help with maintenance and ensure that the aircraft operates efficiently. The ASKY Commercial Director also commended the MAX’s noise reductions and comfort, highlighting that it offers customers an enhanced onboard experience.

“In terms of operations, the aircraft has brought more reliability and cost efficiency,” he added. ASKY plans to add more 737 MAX aircraft in the future but will maintain a balance between the MAX and the NG. However, in the long term, it will operate more MAXs than NGs as part of its fleet modernization strategy.

Operating the 787 Dreamliner

Earlier this year, ASKY’s CEO revealed that the airline plans to introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its fleet within the next three years. Martial Daté Dovéné elaborated that the widebodies will be used to open new long-haul routes. The airline is currently assessing the best routes to utilize the aircraft and offer passengers more space and flatbed seats in business class on long flights.

Photo: Boeing

With most of the airline’s existing destinations being short to medium-haul, the short-term plan is to add more narrowbodies to split its tagged destinations and offer additional capacity on specific routes. ASKY plans to deploy the Dreamliner to existing destinations like Nairobi and Johannesburg and new intercontinental destinations like Paris, London, and Dubai. Additionally, the airline has ambitious plans to launch flights to China, which will be possible with the 787.

“We will use the Dreamliner for long-haul markets where we need more capacity. It will be used on the longest flights, which are more than five or six hours, to enhance the travel experience for our passengers. We are working to see which destinations to position the Dreamliner in to make the best use of the aircraft.”

Related

27 Destinations: Togo’s ASKY Adds Nairobi Boeing 737 Flights

It is its only destination in East Africa.

There is no specific timeline for when ASKY plans to launch its long-haul flights, but the Commercial Director gave a lead time of at least six months before the inauguration. Additionally, ASKY has not ruled out the possibility of flying to the US, but it is not in the immediate plan. The airline expects to have the airport facilities upgraded before the flights start to handle increased traffic.

Support from the Togolese government

Following the demise of Air Afrique, one of Africa’s most prominent carriers, connectivity in West Africa became very difficult. Travelers often found themselves flying from Africa to Europe or the Middle East to reach another destination in Africa. While the situation remains the same between certain points, ASKY has significantly bridged the connectivity gaps within the region. According to the Commercial Director, about 85% of its traffic is connecting traffic.

Photo: ASKY

Last year, the airline carried about 1.1 million passengers, surpassing the 1 million mark for the first time. This year, it is targeting at least 1.3 million passengers. The Togolese government has realized the contribution of the airline and the air transport industry to socioeconomic development in the region.

Last year, the state acquired a 14.39% stake in ASKY Airlines for $9.8 million (XOF6 billion CFA franc). The agreement was signed in Lomé on August 21. Speaking about the investment, Martial Daté Dovéné said,

“Indeed, it is an achievement for us because the government appreciates what we bring to Togo. We don’t plan to only have an airline, but also a complete aviation industry, which includes the airline, maintenance facilities, training centers, and other units. The most urgent thing for us is to start training our own pilots, as it is becoming more difficult to find pilots in the market.”

Having an MRO and simulator training facility is a significant investment, so ASKY is happy to have the government onboard to support its vision. However, the most important factor is that the government has agreed not to interfere with the airline’s daily operations, a challenge faced by many state-owned entities.

What do you think about this story? Have you ever flown on ASKY before? Please let us know in the comments!