Senegalese Government Celebrates 'New' Aircraft, Records Reveal Leased Jet
Senegal's government has celebrated the arrival of a Boeing 737-800 as a new acquisition for its national airline, Air Sénégal. However, aviation records reveal that the aircraft is actually a 19-year-old jet leased through a Lithuanian operator.
The plane, which was christened 'Gorée' by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye during a ceremony at Blaise Diagne International Airport on September 7, has been flying for Air Sénégal under a wet lease arrangement since May 30. Under this arrangement, the supplying airline provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, while the customer airline uses the plane for its services.
The Boeing first flew in 2007, making it approximately 19 years old. While age does not necessarily make an aircraft unsafe, the discrepancy between the public description of the transaction and the actual circumstances surrounding the plane's acquisition has raised questions about transparency and accountability.