Fly Gabon is marking a major fleet milestone with the imminent arrival of its first ATR 42-600, as the young Central African carrier accelerates plans to modernize and expand its domestic and regional operations. The newly delivered ATR 42-600 (MSN 1801), registered TR-LKA, was delivered on July 30, 20265, by regional aircraft lessor TrueNoord on a long-term operating lease.
The factory-new turboprop, which rolled off the production line in May. It becomes the airline’s first ATR 42-600 and joins a growing fleet of ATR turboprops operated under the Fly Gabon brand.
Manufactured by Franco-Italian planemaker ATR, the aircraft is part of a firm order placed in September 2024. The agreement also includes an option for a second ATR 42-600, which could be delivered by 2026 if exercised.
For TrueNoord, Maarten Grift, Sales Director – Africa, Middle East & CIS says, “TrueNoord is delighted to welcome Afrijet Business Service as a new lessee and to support their fleet modernisation. We thank the experienced Afrijet Business Service team for the confidence they have placed in TrueNoord, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.”
“Leasing this latest technology, fuel-efficient turboprop to Afrijet Business Service is part of our strategy to support the continuous improvement of the regional fleet operating in Africa,” adds Grift. Afrijet Business Service (FLYGABON) becomes the fifth African airline to join TrueNoord’s customer base on the continent, increasing the lessor’s fleet across the region to ten aircraft.
The new turboprop replaces an older-generation ATR 42-500 (TR-AGB, MSN 633), which has now been retired.
A Growing Fleet
Originally established under the name Afrijet, the airline began operating as Fly Gabon in 2024 as part of a broader rebranding effort tied to new state ownership. The airline launched commercial services on August 31, 2024, and now serves several key cities across Gabon, including Port-Gentil, Oyem, and Franceville.
Fly Gabon’s expansion is backed by Fly Gabon Holding, a government-owned investment vehicle established by ministerial decree on February 7, 2024. The entity holds a 56% stake in Afrijet and was created to acquire strategic interests in national and international aviation companies. Afrijet Business Service, operates two distinct airlines: Afrijet and FlyGabon. Afrijet, established in 2004 and IOSA-certified since 2020, is a regional leader, serving 19 destinations across Central Africa.
With the arrival of the new ATR 42-600, Fly Gabon’s ATR fleet now includes seven aircraft: one ATR 42-600 and six ATR 72-600s (registrations: TR-LJT, TR-LJX, TR-ABW, TR-ABX, TR-ABJ, and TR-LJN), though two units are currently undergoing maintenance in Morocco.
But Fly Gabon’s ambitions are not limited to turboprops. The carrier on July 23, 2025, introduced its very first jet aircraft—an Airbus A320-200, registered ZS-GAB (MSN 2167)—which officially arrived in Libreville from Johannesburg on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The 21-year-old aircraft is wet-leased from South Africa-based Global Aviation Investments, the parent company of ACMI operator Global Airways and part-owner of Lift, a South African low-cost airline.
This A320 addition marks a pivotal turning point for Fly Gabon as it prepares to expand into international markets. A route to Johannesburg is under active consideration and would represent the airline’s first foray beyond Gabonese airspace. This international push is intended to complement the regional network of Afrijet, Fly Gabon’s sister airline.
