Burkina Faso has taken delivery of a brand-new Embraer E170 aircraft, fully owned and operated by its national carrier, Air Burkina. The aircraft arrived at Ouagadougou International Airport this week and is expected to commence commercial operations within days.
This acquisition marks the second new aircraft added to Air Burkina’s fleet in 2024 under President Ibrahim Traoré’s administration. Earlier this year, the government procured an Embraer E190LR, demonstrating a commitment to revitalizing the national airline rather than investing in presidential luxury transport.
The twin-engine E170, configured with 76 seats, will primarily serve regional routes including Abidjan, Dakar, and Lomé, with potential expansion to additional West African destinations.
President Traoré’s decision to prioritize commercial aviation over presidential luxury has drawn widespread praise. In 2023, the government dissolved the previous airline partnership and relaunched Air Burkina as a fully state-owned enterprise.
The airline’s service quality is already earning accolades. Prominent African travel content creator Wode Maya shared his seventh complimentary upgrade experience:
“The captain told me he appreciates my work promoting African aviation,” Maya recorded in a viral video onboard. “This is why I tell everyone traveling to Ouagadougou, Abidjan, or Dakar to fly Air Burkina.”
Source:NKONKONSA.com
