Air Cote d’Ivoire Eyes Growth In Passenger Traffic With New Q400.

(R - L) Mr. Alain Dugas, Chief Operating Officer, Bombardier; General Abdoulaye Coulibaly, Board Chairman, Air Cote d'Ivoire; Hon. Gaoussou Toure, Minister of Transport; Hon. Roger Kacou, Minister of Tourism; Mrs. Patricia Mc Cullagh, Canadian Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire; and Mr. Sameer Adam, Director, Sales, Africa & Middle East, Bombardier.

In a bid to further grow its passenger numbers out of its hub in Abidjan, Air Cote d’Ivoire has celebrated the arrival of its third DASH 8-Q400 NextGen aircraft. The new equipment joins the airline’s fleet of brand new aircraft bringing the number currently to seven comprising of three A319s, one A320 and three Q400s.

Mr. Rene Decurey, MD, Air Cote d'Ivoire

The Minister of Transport, Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Gaoussou Toure praised the airline for its performance and remarkable achievement within its short time of existence. “This is the year of emergence for Air Cote d’Ivoire and to do this we need more aircraft to fly to more destinations and this new aircraft will help the airline to achieve its goals.” He added that; “The presence of Air Cote d’Ivoire has helped to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities for the citizens and I congratulate you for the remarkable work you have done.”

The new Q400 delivered.

Mr. Rene Decurey, Managing Director, Air Cote d'Ivoire, said: “The Q400 allows us to operate into different routes including the domestic routes. It is a comfortable and fast aircraft comparable to a jet and allows us to offer a lot of frequencies,” adding that: “We are a promising airline that is making remarkable progress.” He remarked that in 2013 the carrier airlifted 244,183 passengers. That figure rose to 398,761 and 604,170 in 2014 and 2015 respectively. “Our perspective for 2016 is to grow our passenger numbers over 2015 figures by 17% to 701,777 and the arrival of the Q400 is the first step in achieving it,” he said.  

Bombardier Chief Operating Officer, Alain Dugas congratulated Air Cote d’Ivoire for its choice and delivery of the brand new aircraft. “I am happy to be here today to herald the arrival of the third Q400 to Air Cote d’Ivoire. The Q400 is becoming very popular on the African continent and it is good for opening new markets. I congratulate Air Cote d’Ivoire,” he said.

Interior view of the new Q400 cabin

The Chairman of the airline’s Board of Directors, General Abdoulaye Coulibaly expressed delight on the arrival of the aircraft and thanked the Management team and staff of the airline for all the hard work which has made this delivery a reality. He also extended gratitude to the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority for their support and cooperation. “The vision of Air Cote d’Ivoire is to be a tool of integration in the region by connecting major cities in the shortest time possible through direct flights,” he noted.

The colourful ceremony was also attended by high profile dignitaries and guests including Mr. Roger KACOU, Hon. Minister of Tourism; Ambassador Patricia Mc CULLAGH, Canadian Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire; and Mr. Sameer Adam, Director, Sales, Africa & Middle East, Bombardier among others.