Air Cote d’Ivoire has placed a firm order for 4 Embraer E175 aircraft with purchase rights for 8 additional aircraft. The aircraft will be configured with 76 seats in a two class configuration with 12 business and 64 economy seats. First deliveries are scheduled in the first half of 2027.
Air Cote d’Ivoire
“This order marks a significant step in our fleet development strategy,” said Laurent Loukou, Chief Executive Officer of Air Côte d’Ivoire. “The Embraer E175 is perfectly suited to our domestic and regional ambitions. Its capacity is perfectly adapted to the size of African markets. Its performance and comfort will allow us to offer a superior passenger experience, while supporting our growth and the development of our Abidjan hub. It also enables us to gradually phase out our turboprop fleet and operate more efficiently across our network while improving our economic performance with better operating costs and profitability.”
Air Côte d’Ivoire was created in May 2012 at the initiative of President Alassane Ouattara, whose vision was to provide Côte d’Ivoire with a major airline that would contribute to its economic recovery and international influence. Since the launch of its flights in November 2012, the company has grown rapidly to position itself very quickly as a market leader with more than 50% market share.
The E175 will be used primarily as a feeder for the airline’s hub in Abidjan, increasing frequencies and connecting opportunities for its recently launched service to Paris. The carrier will deploy the E175 on domestic and regional routes to grow the airline’s network, enhance connectivity, and gradually replace its turboprop fleet. The E175 was selected for range, speed, passenger comfort, and increased cargo capacity compared to turboprops.
Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, commented: “We are honored to welcome Air Cite d’Ivoire to the E-Jet family. Embraer is firmly established as the market leader in the up to 150 seat segment in Africa, the E175 is a proven performer on the continent and its capabilities are a perfect match for the airline’s vision. This aircraft will bring immediate benefits in terms of connectivity, efficiency, and passenger satisfaction, and we look forward to supporting Air Cote d’Ivoire as they expand their network and strengthen their position in the region.”
Embraer currently has 250 aircraft in operation across 56 different African operators. Over the last decade, Embraer’s fleet in Africa has ground at a compounded rate of 7.5% and Embraer now has a 31% market share for aircraft under 150 seats on the continent.
The Bottom Line
The E175 is currently the only newly produced regional jet available in the market, and has been continually improved since its introduction 20 years ago. The aircraft remains modern in design, and its E2 crossover jets provide a natural growth path as markets develop. Air Cote d’Ivoire has a potential path for future growth as its markets mature and develop with larger aircraft within the Embraer family.
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