GIG Aviation (Lagos) has announced an order for two ATR72-500(F)s to launch as a cargo specialist focused on the West African e-commerce market.
The start-up is a subsidiary of multi-industry holding GIG Group and will operate on behalf of sister company GIG Logistics.
"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," Chief Executive Adetoro Fowoshere said.
Cargo Facts has confirmed that the two aircraft are EC-JBI (msn 713) and EC-JEH (msn 716), 17.7 and 17.3-year-old units previously operated by Binter Canarias and its one-time subsidiary TICV - Transportes Interilhas de Cabo Verde as passenger aircraft. Both are currently undergoing conversion at Gran Canaria airport, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. The Nigerian start-up will acquire them from ATR Leasing.
GIG Group did not respond to ch-aviation's request for further details concerning delivery dates and the certification of its new carrier. GIG Aviation is poised to become Nigeria's first operator of turboprop freighters and the second all-cargo airline after Allied Air (4W, Lagos).
