Kenyan freighter operator Astral Aviation has decided to postpone its plans to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for Europe, opting to concentrate on expanding its presence in Africa and Asia.
The airline had initially considered setting up an AOC in Malta due to the country’s favorable conditions for foreign airlines. However, Astral’s CEO, Sanjeev Gadhia, explained that the complexities of regulatory and compliance requirements influenced the decision to delay the plan. He noted that many European airlines have established operations in Malta, but the process is time-consuming and challenging, which led Astral to conclude that it had “missed the boat.”
Goals
Astral Aviation is shifting its focus toward Africa and China, where it sees stronger growth opportunities. This strategic move comes after the airline experienced a decline in airfreight volumes from Europe to Africa, which Gadhia attributes to the strength of the euro. The airline continues to operate flights to Liege in Belgium and Doncaster Sheffield in the UK, despite the change in strategic direction. To strengthen its European and US market presence, Astral recently appointed Network Aviation Group as its general sales agent (GSA) and signed a Global Sales Partnership Agreement with Euro Cargo Aviation covering Europe, the US, and the UAE.
Astral Aviation has also made adjustments to its fleet to better align with its strategic goals. The airline has phased out its Boeing 757Fs, 727-200Fs, and DC9Fs and currently operates a fleet consisting of a Boeing 767-200F, a Boeing 767-300F, and a Boeing 737-400F. Plans are underway to introduce a Boeing 737-800F and two Boeing 777 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft, but the company is awaiting certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the conversion process. Additionally, the airline has delayed its order for two Embraer E190Fs, with Gadhia stating that Astral is “not ready” to proceed with the acquisition at this time.