Air Bonanza Express, a Nairobi-based charter cargo airline, is relocating its IL-76TD freighter to West Africa in response to increasing demand from Chad and Côte d’Ivoire. The aircraft will now be stationed in Ndjamena and Abidjan, marking a strategic shift from its previous operational bases in Ghana, Kenya, and South Sudan. The move aims to improve regional accessibility and cut down the high costs associated with aircraft mobilisation.
According to CEO Boniface Kimani, the repositioning is both a strategic initiative and a response to emerging cargo needs in the region. The airline is observing several project cargo requests and anticipates more confirmations in the near future. To support this growth, Air Bonanza is collaborating with regional cargo agents and exploring opportunities to develop an intra-West African cargo network.
Challenges
Kimani highlighted that West and Central Africa face a shortage of aircraft capable of carrying oversized loads like those the IL-76 can handle. He noted that clients often struggle with the high costs of moving aircraft for such missions. By stationing the IL-76 closer to key markets, the airline hopes to offer a cost-effective and readily available solution for heavy cargo transport.
Air Bonanza is also advancing plans to lease a Boeing 767-300 freighter, which will bring greater fuel efficiency to its operations. Alongside the IL-76, the airline provides cargo lift services using the Mi-26T helicopter — one of the largest cargo helicopters globally, with a payload capacity of around 20 tons and rear-loading capabilities. This diverse fleet positions the carrier to meet a wide range of logistical challenges across the continent.