1st new aircraft order in 20 years: Air Sénégal buys Boeing 737 MAX
November 17, 2025
Air Sénégal announced at the Dubai Airshow on 17 November that the West African carrier has ordered nine new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from the US planemaker. Once finalised, the order will be the airline’s largest-ever new aircraft purchase in its history, and its first since 2004.
The new aircraft are intended to facilitate the carrier’s regional and international operations from its hub at Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (DKR).
Included in the Letter of Intent (LIO) signed by the parties at the show is an option for the carrier to purchase a further six Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft.
Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will allow for network expansion
With the introduction of the 737 MAX 8 to its single-aisle fleet, Air Sénégal will expand its network in Europe as well as launch new routes from Dakar to points in the Middle East and the Americas.
The 737 MAX 8 will also enable the carrier to serve secondary European cities, allowing travellers to bypass connecting airports and fly to Sénégal directly for the first time.
The signing ceremony at the Dubai Airshow 2025 took place in the presence of Yankoba Diémé, Senegal’s Minister of Land and Air Transport, and Brad McMullen, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
Air Sénégal commande 9 Boeing 737 Max ✈️
— Fly Air Sénégal (@FlyAirSenegal) November 17, 2025
Air Sénégal a procédé aujourd’hui à la signature de la commande de 9 Boeing 737 Max, en présence du Ministre des Transports terrestres et aériens, M. Yankoba Diémé, en marge du Dubai Air Show 2025. pic.twitter.com/Zw3Sp2yffJ
“This acquisition marks a major milestone for Air Sénégal,” said Chief Executive Officer Tidiane Ndiaye in a statement. “This order is part of Air Sénégal’s strategy to strengthen and modernise its fleet to support the expansion of its regional and intercontinental network and reinforce Dakar’s position as a leading aviation hub in West Africa.”
“We look forward to welcoming Air Senegal to the 737 MAX family as they leverage the versatility, reliability, and advanced technology of the 737 MAX 8 to support their growth ambitions,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.
“We are committed to the sustainable development of air travel in the region and will partner with Air Senegal as they enhance their fleet and passenger experience,” he added.
737 MAX well-suited to meet rising demand in Africa
According to a Boeing statement, the 737 MAX 8 aircraft is “well-suited to meet Africa’s rising air travel demand, which has been fuelled by economic development and a young and growing population.”
.@FlyAirSenegal will join the 737 MAX family with their commitment for nine airplanes! ✈️ With the 737-8, Air Senegal will expand service regionally and internationally – connecting Dakar with Europe, the Middle East & Americas. #DubaiAirshow
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) November 17, 2025
Release: https://t.co/vXDdfBlp2G pic.twitter.com/GdnvJislBo
“The 737-8 can carry up to 178 passengers in a two-class configuration or fly up to 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km). Air Senegal will benefit from the type’s operational efficiency as it reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% and creates a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to the aircraft it replaces,” the statement added.
According to Planespotters.net, the current Air Sénégal fleet consists of two A330-900neos plus a single ATR72 turboprop. The airline also has two A320-200s on wet lease from Lithuanian airline, GetJet.
The agreement between Boeing and Senegal Airlines follows an order announced earlier the same day from another African airline, Ethiopian Airlines.
As part of this announcement, the Addis Ababa-based carrier ordered an additional 11 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to add to its existing fleet of 22 of the type.
Featured image: Boeing
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