Air Sénégal has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737-800, named “Gorée,” a move the national carrier describes as a significant milestone in boosting its fleet and enhancing the country’s aviation sovereignty. The announcement was made in Dakar on September 7, 2026.
This acquisition was made possible through the financial backing of the Senegalese government, coordinated by the Ministry of Land and Air Transport, led by Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye. Air Sénégal views this as a reflection of the nation’s commitment to equipping itself with an aviation tool that matches its economic, touristic, and international ambitions, under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The aircraft, a single-aisle from the Boeing 737 NG family, is renowned for its versatility on short and medium-haul routes. It will enable the airline to expand its capacity for serving its network. Configured in a two-class layout, it seats 174 passengers: 12 in Business and 162 in Economy, with Recaro seats. The plane measures 39.5 meters in length, with a wingspan of 35.8 meters, and includes three lavatories and three galleys.
The choice of the name “Gorée” carries deep significance. As an island that bears the memory of the slave trade and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, Gorée has become a universal symbol of remembrance, resilience, and dialogue among peoples. Air Sénégal presents this aircraft as a “flying ambassador” destined to carry this name across Africa and the world, linking, according to the company, the nation’s history to its international outlook and its diaspora.
Beyond its symbolic meaning, this new addition is also expected to bolster Senegal’s tourism sector by facilitating visitor arrivals and strengthening the country’s connectivity with regional and global markets. The airline highlights several strategic objectives tied to this acquisition: enhancing operational capacity, supporting its growth, consolidating Senegal’s aviation sovereignty, and improving the passenger experience.
