Nigeria-based GIG Aviation has signed up to purchase two ATR 72-500 freighters as it looks to meet growing e-commerce demand in Africa.
The regional turboprops will be the company's first freighters and will assist sister company GIG Logistics as it looks to expand its network in Africa to meet the rapid growth of e-commerce in the country and strengthen the connections between communities from the different regions and sub regions.
Adetoro Fowoshere, chief executive of GIG Aviation, said: “The acquisition of two ATR 72-500 freighters demonstrates our commitment to provide high standards of delivery services to communities of Africa and Nigeria.
"We are expanding rapidly through local branches, notably in Nigeria, and the entry into service of these aircraft will be significant in allowing us to expand operations with economic efficiency and reliability, key factors for an airline. With our ATR aircraft, we will continue to meet the cargo needs of communities with increased capacity.”
Tarek Ben Omrane, head of business development of ATR, added: “We are delighted that GIG Aviation has chosen ATR to expand its network and use its unrivalled performance to support the connectivity and e-commerce growth in Nigeria.
"We believe that ATR aircraft are the perfect fit for such needs and are happy that the customers of GIG Aviation will benefit from fast efficient services provided by GIG Aviation through the use of our aircraft.”
There are currently around 140 converted ATR freighter aircraft in operation, representing one third of the global regional freighter fleet, according to ATR.
The manufacturer forecasts a demand for 460 freighters over 20 years in the up-to-nine-tonne category.
