Astral Aviation (8V, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) has postponed plans to acquire a European air operator's certificate (AOC) to focus on its operations in Africa and Asia, CEO Sanjeev Gadhia has told Air Cargo News.
Previously, the Kenyan cargo specialist considered establishing an AOC in Malta and Ireland but has now decided against this. "At the moment, we have postponed our plans for having a European AOC. We feel that we may need to focus more on China and Africa," Gadhia explained.
According to him, Astral Aviation has shifted its focus to Asia for future growth, rather than Europe, due to a decline in airfreight volumes from Europe to Africa influenced by a strong euro.
Gadhia previously told ch-aviation that Astral was focusing on a pan-African expansion strategy, leveraging the potential growth from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). The airline is expanding into Southern and West Africa with a three-hub strategy, including its existing hubs at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta and Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. Astral connects these hubs with Hong Kong International.
Gadhia is also a 25% investor in Suid Cargo Airlines (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo), which is has gained its international air service licence but is still awaiting certification in South Africa. It has acquired a B737-300(F) and plans to establish a scheduled network, expanding its fleet over time.
Astral Aviation has made significant fleet changes, retiring its B757-200(PCF)s, B727-200(F)s, and DC-9-30(CF)s, and plans to expand its fleet in 2025. It currently operates one B737-400(SF) on lease from Avmax Aircraft Leasing and one B767-200(SF) acquired on a sale/leaseback deal with Avmax. Gadhia confirmed he plans to add one B767-300F in the first half of 2025, another B737-400(SF) in the second half of 2025, and is looking at adding two B737-800 next-generation freighters in 2026 and 2027.
