Air Senegal Commits to First Boeing 737 MAX Order

Air Senegal has announced a major fleet expansion with its commitment to purchase nine Boeing 737-8 aircraft marking the carrier’s first Boeing order in more than 20 years. Revealed at the Dubai Airshow on 17 November 2025 the deal represents the airline’s largest-ever fleet acquisition and signals a significant step in its long-term growth strategy.

The new 737-8s will strengthen Air Senegal’s single-aisle operations while supporting its plans to grow regional and intercontinental services. The airline intends to expand its European network and launch new routes from Dakar to destinations in the Middle East and the Americas. The aircraft will also enable efficient connections to secondary European cities reducing the need for travellers to connect through major hubs.

“This acquisition marks a major milestone for Air Sénégal” said CEO Tidiane Ndiaye. “It supports the modernisation of our fleet and the expansion of our regional and intercontinental network while reinforcing Dakar’s position as a leading aviation hub in West Africa.”

Configured for up to 178 passengers with a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,480 km) the 737-8 delivers up to 20% lower fuel burn and emissions along with a 50% smaller noise footprint compared to the aircraft it replaces.

Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing said the manufacturer looks forward to supporting the airline’s development: “Air Senegal will benefit from the versatility, reliability and advanced technology of the 737-8 as they pursue their growth ambitions.”

According to Boeing’s 2025 Commercial Market Outlook African airlines will require more than 1,200 new aircraft over the next 20 years with over 70% of these deliveries expected to be single-aisle jets — a segment where the 737 MAX is positioned to play a major role.