African Carriers Expand Network with Boeing 737s

AerCap is leasing three new Boeing 737 Max 8 airliners to African carrier FlySafair. The agreement was announced on Tuesday at the Dubai Airshow, with deliveries expected to start in the first quarter of 2028.

In the third quarter of 2026, South Africa-based FlySafair is due to receive a pair of Boeing 737-800NG aircraft from AerCap. The carrier launched its services in 2024 and operates domestic routes to 10 cities in South Africa, as well as five international routes to neighboring countries.

In another show announcement, Gulf Air finalized firm orders for 15 of Boeing's 787 Dreamliners. The Bahrain-based carrier also booked options for three more of the widebody as part of plans to expand its international network. Having updated a contract first drawn up in July, the carrier has increased the number of 787s it has on order to 17.

On Monday, West Africa’s Air Senegal placed orders with Boeing for nine 737 Max aircraft, which it will use to expand its services from Dakar to Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas. The deal is the airline’s largest fleet purchase to date, and its first Boeing order since 2004. According to the manufacturer, more than 80 airlines operate 737s around the world.

“This acquisition marks a major milestone for Air Senegal,” said the carrier’s CEO, Tidiane Ndiaye. "This order is part of Air Senegal's strategy to strengthen and modernize its fleet in order to support the expansion of its regional and intercontinental network and reinforce Dakar’s position as a leading aviation hub in West Africa."

The 737-8 can carry up to 178 passengers in a two-class configuration and has a maximum range of 3,500 nm.