Following delays, Gabon's new national carrier FlyGabon (Libreville Leon M'Ba) is now set to launch its first commercial flight on August 31 as it starts with domestic routes, according to an official news release. The launch had initially been slated for August 5.

The brand will be operated by Afrijet Business Service (J7, Libreville Leon M'Ba), after the Gabonese government acquired a majority shareholding in the private carrier through a new holding company, FlyGabon Holding, earlier this year. While Afrijet will continue serving regional destinations under its name, FlyGabon will initially focus on domestic routes, including the destinations Libreville Leon M'Ba, Franceville/Mvengue, Port Gentil, and Oyem.

Insider sources told ch-aviation the delay in the FlyGabon's launch was due to the lack of security scanner equipment at the Libreville Leon M'Ba terminal to support domestic operations. The airport is managed by GSEZ Airports, a subsidiary of the Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ). It was established through a public-private partnership involving the Gabonese government, Africa Finance Corporation, and Olam International.

To start with, FlyGabon will use two 72-seater ATR72-600s purchased by the Gabonese government. TR-LJT (msn 1656) already operates ad hoc domestic flights under Afrijet flight numbers. The second ATR72, TR-LJU (msn 1260), has been parked in Libreville since it arrived from Toulouse Francazal on July 16, ADS-B data confirms. According to Afrijet chairman Marc Gaffajoli, TR-LJU (msn 1260) "has been rejected due to the lack of technical documentation". He said it has been replaced by another ATR72, F-WNUG (msn 1674), which would be ferried to Libreville on August 26. "FlyGabon's initial fleet will be msn 1656 and msn 1674," he disclosed. According to ADS-B data, msn 1674 has been parked in Johannesburg O.R. Tambo since May, having been destined initially for Burkinabe startup Liz Aviation (LAZ, Ouagadougou). Gaffajoli said it would be re-registered as TR-LJX.

By the end of 2024, FlyGabon aims to launch its first international route to Johannesburg with an A320-200, ZS-GAB (msn 2167), wet-leased from Global Aviation Operations (GE, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo). The aircraft is expected in Gabon by October 2024 after it has been recertified in South Africa and added to Global's operating specifications (OpsSpecs).

"After the disappearance of Air Gabon (Libreville Leon M'Ba) a few years ago, the creation of FlyGabon is a real source of pride for our nation," commented Afrijet Managing Director Nyl Moret-Mba in the statement. "This launch marks a significant renewal in the Gabonese air sector and offers an opportunity to revive and boost air transport. With FlyGabon, we will serve the country's nine provinces, as soon as the airport infrastructure is modernised and up to commercial transport standards, and thus significantly participate in the efforts to open up while having a pricing policy that contributes to the fight against the high cost of living."

He said FlyGabon is part of the government's strategy to revitalise the Gabonese air transport sector and improve air connectivity across the country, thereby stimulating economic growth. To mark the launch, the new brand will offer discounted fares targeting families, students, and the elderly. Promotional one-way launch fares are also offered on domestic routes to Port-Gentil, Oyem, and Franceville.