Air Sénégal receives new Boeing 737-800 named Gorée

Air Sénégal has taken delivery of a new Boeing 737-800, christened “Gorée,” a move the national carrier describes as a major step in strengthening its fleet and enhancing the country’s aviation independence. The announcement was made in Dakar on September 7, 2026.

This acquisition was made possible with financial backing from the Senegalese government through the Ministry of Land and Air Transport, led by Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye. Air Sénégal views this as a reflection of the nation’s ambition to build an aviation tool that matches its economic, tourism, and international aspirations, under the leadership of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye.

The aircraft, a single-aisle model from the Boeing 737 NG family known for its versatility on short and medium-haul routes, will provide the airline with added capacity to operate its network. It features a two-class configuration with 174 seats in total: 12 in Business and 162 in Economy, all equipped 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” is significant. Gorée, an island that stands as a memorial to the slave trade and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, has become a universal symbol of memory, resilience, and intercultural dialogue. Air Sénégal presents this aircraft as a “flying ambassador” that will carry this name across Africa and the world, linking the nation’s history to its international openness and its diaspora.

Beyond its symbolic dimension, this new unit is also expected to boost Senegal’s tourism sector by facilitating visitor arrivals and strengthening the country’s connectivity with both regional and global markets. The airline outlines several strategic goals tied to this acquisition: increasing operational capacity, supporting its growth trajectory, consolidating Senegal’s aviation sovereignty, and improving the quality of service for passengers.