GIG Aviation, a subsidiary of GIG Group boosts regional cargo services in Nigeria with two ATR 72 freighters

Africa’s leading logistic company will benefit from increased efficiency of ATR aircraft to meet increased e-commerce demand and deliver goods and services to local communities across Nigeria

Toulouse, 10 May 2022 – Regional turboprop manufacturer, ATR, today announces an Agreement for the acquisition of two ATR 72-500 freighters from its asset management portfolio to GIG Aviation, a subsidiary of GIG Group. The ATR 72-500s will initiate GIG Aviation journey as a freighter airline. The ATR freighters will help GIG Logistics expand its network in Africa to meet the rapid growth of e-commerce in the country and strengthen the connections between communities from the different regions and sub regions. With its superior economics and versatility, burning 40% less fuel and emitting 40% less CO2 than a similar-sized regional jet, ATR is the perfect fit for economical and sustainable expansion.

Adetoro Fowoshere, Chief Executive Officer of GIG Aviation, said: “The acquisition of two ATR 72-500 freighters demonstrates our commitment to provide high standards of delivery services to communities of Africa and Nigeria. We are expanding rapidly through local branches, notably in Nigeria, and the entry into service of these aircraft will be significant in allowing us to expand operations with economic efficiency and reliability, key factors for an airline. With our ATR aircraft, we will continue to meet the cargo needs of communities with increased capacity.”

Tarek Ben Omrane, Head of Business Development of ATR, said: “We are delighted that GIG Aviation has chosen ATR to expand its network and use its unrivalled performance to support the connectivity and e-commerce growth in Nigeria. We believe that ATR aircraft are the perfect fit for such needs and are happy that the customers of GIG Aviation will benefit from fast efficient services provided by GIG Aviation through the use of our aircraft.”

ATR has extensive experience in the regional freighter market. There are currently around 140 converted ATR freighter aircraft in operation, representing one third of the global regional freighter fleet. ATR expresses optimism about the freighter market, which is growing strongly, and forecasts a demand for 460 freighters over 20 years in the up-to-nine-tonne category.

About GIG Logistics

GIG Logistics is a private courier and logistics services company headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria and is a subsidiary of GIG group. Founded in 2012 by Chidi Ajaere who is the current Chairman, GIG Groupas today about 800 employees and has offices in Nigeria, Ghana, US and UK. They have a robust global network that offers domestic & international, intra & inter-state delivery services.

GIG Logistics services and products include courier services, mobile, social and e-commerce logistics, delivery services, on-board courier services, imports, packaging, mailroom management, and relocation services. GIG Logistics launched in 2019 its own on-demand delivery app that allows its customers request pickup and delivery of items. In addition, GIG Logistics added in 2020 electric vehicles to their portfolio and uses their service centers as charging stations. Their ambition is to become the Africa’s leading E-commerce logistics platform.

About ATR

ATR is the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer with its ATR 42 and 72 aircraft the best-selling aircraft in the less than 90-seat market segment. The unifying vision of the company’s employees is to help everyone, no matter where they are in the world, to connect and develop in a responsible manner. Thanks to the efficiency of turboprop technology and the benefits of the company’s focus on continuous innovation, ATR aircraft open over 130 new routes every year on average, burn 45% less fuel and emit 45% less CO2 than regional jets. For all of these reasons, ATR aircraft have been chosen by some 200 companies in 100 countries around the world. ATR is a joint-venture between Airbus and Leonardo.