Renegade Air expands fleet with ATR-500 leased from Abelo
September 26, 2024
Kenyan regional airline, Renegade Air, has marked the arrival of its first ever ATR 72-500 aircraft, with a ceremony held at Wilson Airport
The aircraft, which has been converted into a cargo configuration in line with Renegade Air’s operations, has been leased from turboprop lessor Abelo. Its arrival marks a milestone in the regional carrier’s ability to serve the growing demand for efficient and reliable air services, including the transportation of goods.
“Our new ATR-500 cargo aircraft will be a game-changer in our fleet, bolstering our ability to provide timely and efficient air cargo services to our customers,” said Tasneem Kaderbhai, commercial manager for Renegade Air. He also underlined that the move further solidifies the airline’s position as a key player in Kenya’s air cargo sector.
ATR is renowned for its performance, reliability, and low operating costs, with its ATR 42 and 72 models the best-selling aircraft in the below 90-seat market segment. The ATR-500, in particular, is ideally suited for the often challenging environments and remote regions of East Africa, where unpaved runways and the demands of hot and high-altitude conditions are prevalent.
“Renegade Air’s selection of the ATR-500 marks both the continuation of a successful partnership with Abelo and ATR’s comeback to Kenya – a market ATR has strong ambitions for,” commented Michael Chassot, sales director EMEA at ATR. “ATR aircraft are the ideal candidates to replace ageing fleets, bringing comfort, convenience and affordable connectivity to the Kenyan communities with state-of-the-art, ultra-efficient, low operating costs and versatile aircraft,” he continued.
Kenya offers a substantial market for turboprop operations with over 80 aircraft of the type already flying. According to ATR, the country could accommodate plenty of additional ATR-500s as well as the latest generation-600 series serving domestic and regional routes from Wilson and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.
Mathieu Duquesnoy, Abelo’s chief marketing officer, also noted that the “conversion of this ATR aircraft into a dedicated cargo platform is a testament to its versatility and adaptability across different operational requirements and long-term value as an asset.”
