Chad’s Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization

Post Published December 26, 2024

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Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Royal Airways Retires Last E120 Aircraft After 3 Years of Service in Chad





Royal Airways has officially retired its last Embraer E120 aircraft after three years in service within Chad. This move concludes the airline's operation of the older model and underscores its push towards modernizing the fleet, which recently included the order of 19 new Embraer planes. The decision to move away from the E120, which had been around for an average of over 22 years, follows a common trend in the industry towards greater efficiency and technology improvements. This upgrade will allow Royal Airways to hopefully improve its performance and strengthen its position in the regional aviation sector. As the airline business changes, this move seems like a step towards building a more stable future.

Royal Airways has officially concluded its three-year relationship with the Embraer E120 aircraft in Chad. This retirement marks the end of this particular model's service with the airline, a type that had been a mainstay since their launch. This decommissioning of the E120s is a component of a wider strategy to update and streamline the airline’s operations for what appears to be improved efficiency.

In tandem with the removal of the E120s, the carrier has placed an order for 19 new Embraer aircraft, a move that appears to be a substantial commitment to modernizing their fleet. This seems to be aimed at improving the airline's overall performance as it shifts to newer aircraft types which one could assume would be equipped with better technology and potentially reduced fuel usage. The new order is reportedly part of Royal Airways' plan to fortify its position in the local aviation sector within Chad, an area ripe for change.

The Embraer 120 was a sensible turboprop workhorse for regional hauls in the 1980s. These aircraft, which accommodate about 30 people, are a reasonable solution for lower-traffic areas like within Chad, a vast land often overlooked. The E120s two Pratt & Whitney engines offered decent speed and fuel use, something important for controlling costs in this environment.

However, older aircraft, which these were, present higher maintenance concerns. Such downtime results in operational costs and can negatively affect an airlines schedule and bottom line. Royal Airways' choice to retire the E120 might save them from these increasing maintenance challenges that naturally accompany an older aircraft. The 19 new Embraer aircraft on order are likely to come with contemporary avionics and streamlined designs which improve both maintenance expenses and general safety of operations. Passengers should potentially also enjoy an upgrade in their travel with improved seating and other in flight amenities, which have historically been minimal.

By refreshing their fleet, this local carrier appears to be posturing themselves to better compete in the region's airline market where cost and services are extremely competitive. They potentially expand their routes within Chad and nearby countries. Such moves can be essential for growing route profitability in markets like Chad where airlines may experience low yields on older routes and equipment. Modern aircraft come with analytics, making it easier to see how to route aircraft more profitably and schedule them. Passengers may very likely react favorably to flying a newer plane. Switching from an aging E120 is not just about the hardware: modern aircraft are likely more fuel-efficient and cause less carbon impact.

What else is in this post?

  1. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Royal Airways Retires Last E120 Aircraft After 3 Years of Service in Chad
  2. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Fleet Expansion Brings 12 E175 and 7 E190 Aircraft by June 2025
  3. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - New Aircraft Allow 40% More Passengers on Popular N'Djamena to Abeche Route
  4. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Additional Routes to Cameroon and Niger Launch March 2025
  5. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Royal Airways Introduces Business Class Product on New Embraer Jets
  6. Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Local Staff Training Program Starts at N'Djamena Maintenance Base

Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Fleet Expansion Brings 12 E175 and 7 E190 Aircraft by June 2025





Chad’s Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization

Chad's Royal Airways is significantly expanding its fleet, adding 12 Embraer E175s and 7 E190s to its roster, with deliveries expected by June 2025. This move accompanies the retirement of the older E120 planes and seeks to boost operational capabilities and address a potential increase in passenger numbers. These newer models are expected to offer better performance and reduced fuel consumption, while also aiming to improve passenger experience through upgraded interiors. In an environment where regional carriers face increasing competition, this fleet upgrade should allow Royal Airways to be in a more competitive position and navigate the fast changing world of aviation. This shift underscores a larger trend within the industry towards embracing more advanced technology to gain better efficiency and increased customer satisfaction.

Chad’s Royal Airways is set to acquire 19 new Embraer jets, a mix of 12 E175 and 7 E190 models, slated for delivery by June of 2025. This fleet expansion is happening concurrently with the decommissioning of the aging E120 aircraft. The move suggests an effort to improve not just operational capacity but also service quality. This transition to these newer Embraer models should provide increased efficiency and upgraded passenger experience.

The addition of the E175 and E190 aircraft is likely a strategy to modernize the airline’s fleet to allow for higher performance and passenger volumes, possibly resulting in improved comfort and reliability. This change will likely impact how Royal Airways competes in the regional market while adhering to current safety and environmental requirements. Ultimately, this fleet upgrade reflects a larger plan to boost the airline’s ability to service its routes effectively and reliably.







Chad's Royal Airways is introducing new Embraer aircraft, a move that will bump up passenger capacity by a significant 40% on the well-traveled N'Djamena to Abeche route. This change is part of the airline’s strategy to both operate more efficiently and enhance what passengers experience, while also moving on from the older E120 aircraft. These modern aircraft should mean more dependable service and also show a general move within African aviation towards newer technology and better efficiency. As the competition gets stronger in the region, this modernization might help Royal Airways compete better with other airlines.

With the planned introduction of Embraer's E175 and E190 jets, Royal Airways is set to substantially change its ability to manage passenger numbers, particularly on the N'Djamena to Abeche route. These models promise a roughly 40% increase in passenger capacity compared to the older E120, offering a higher efficiency in matching air travel demand. The integration of modern avionics on both E175 and E190 aircraft stands out, potentially providing better operational safety. This technology improvement includes advanced navigation that is a stark upgrade from the now retired E120, and likely lessens the pilots’ workload.

The new Embraer jets will also come with greater flight range in comparison to the E120s, which opens up possibilities for Royal Airways to broaden its network and go beyond its established routes in Chad. Furthermore, it seems that these aircraft could significantly reduce fuel burn for the same routes, thus reducing operating costs. If these fuel savings become large enough, there may be opportunities to lower ticket prices. It remains to be seen if they take advantage of this opportunity. Passengers, it seems, may benefit from more spacious and comfortable cabins on both aircraft. The E190's new cabin pressure system might smooth out the ride and reduce stress, useful in Chad's often erratic weather patterns.

The promise of modern aircraft is the increased reliability which should reduce those annoying cancellations and delays that plague travelers. For an airline competing in a market where price sensitivity is high, this type of reliability is very important in retaining customers. This change could also be a boost to the local economy in Chad, with an increase in both business and tourism, which could in turn require more route networks. The airline should, in theory, experience less downtime with the newer equipment and its associated support structures, which again can reduce the total operating costs that the older planes often incurred. It seems like Royal Airways is making a strong play to capture a larger share of the market by modernizing, thereby gaining a competitive edge over airlines that are still running older less efficient hardware. Finally, these modern aircraft should bring with them better tools for analytics of data which allows the airlines to better schedule and optimize routes based on demand and profit margins.



Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Additional Routes to Cameroon and Niger Launch March 2025





Chad’s Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization

Chad's Royal Airways is set to expand its reach within the region by adding new routes to Cameroon and Niger, scheduled to commence in March 2025. This move appears to be a component of a wider strategy to update their fleet and expand their reach. These new routes come as the airline phases out its aging Embraer E120 planes and brings in 19 new Embraer aircraft. These changes will likely impact the airline’s efficiency, passenger comfort and hopefully the options for travelers. This effort to enhance flight options will possibly contribute to greater opportunities for trade within the area. The expansion underscores the necessity for reliable air transport especially in highly competitive aviation markets.

Royal Airways is set to introduce new routes to Cameroon and Niger starting in March 2025, which seems to signal a broader ambition among regional carriers to expand their reach across West and Central Africa. The logic seems to be driven by rising demand for better air travel within these regions. I wonder how this impacts passenger load factors, since a mere 1% increase can dramatically affect an airlines profits, especially within these more competitive areas, like Chad. New airline routes often cause ripple effects, and I am curious about the amount of job creation— perhaps 150 positions per new route, which could be quite beneficial for local economies in the area as it will also potentially increase the revenue of hotels, eateries, and travel groups in the area. It will be interesting to see what the long term consequences will be.

Operationally, the new aircraft are projected to provide a 20% reduction in fuel usage on these routes, translating to lower costs for the airlines and more potentially affordable tickets for passengers, provided of course they pass along these savings. The tech upgrades with the Embraer aircraft are significant with cutting-edge avionics being employed, which theoretically could cut flight times through more precise navigation. That’s going to improve the entire customer experience.

With better passenger volume capabilities of the newer aircraft, the hope is there will also be an increase in the number of flights, thus creating more flexible travel options for consumers. All of this could result in enhanced regional connectivity and it’s conceivable that the new routes could reduce travel times between Chad and its neighbors, encouraging economic ties and an expansion of tourism. The big question is where will Royal Airways go next if these new routes are successful? It’s conceivable they may consider some longer routes. The key question, is will ticket prices become more affordable? That will be the deciding factor for many people as to whether this strategy is a success. For travelers interested in food culture, Cameroon’s diverse cuisine is quite appealing. The new routes could also encourage more "foodie" tourism in the region.



Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Royal Airways Introduces Business Class Product on New Embraer Jets





Royal Airways is now offering a new Business Class option on its fresh Embraer jets. This move comes alongside a major overhaul of its fleet, indicating a shift to prioritize more comfortable travel for those willing to pay more. As the airline moves on from its older E120 planes and brings in 19 new ones, it's clearly aiming for better performance and to appeal to business passengers. With more travel options out there, providing a business class experience could give them an advantage in the regional market, since this could suggest an overall desire to provide upgrades to the usual service on offer. This change is not only about new planes but also shows an understanding of how passenger expectations have changed over time.

Royal Airways' fleet renewal incorporates a new business class on their freshly obtained Embraer aircraft. This upgrade seems targeted at increasing the airline’s appeal to the business traveler and likely improving its competitive edge in a fairly turbulent market. The introduction of this new class, featuring better amenities, suggests a strategic effort to not only lure in high paying customers but also possibly generate more revenue. The airline seems determined to position itself as a more relevant option within the region.



Chad's Royal Airways Phases Out E120 Fleet, Orders 19 New Embraer Aircraft in Major Fleet Modernization - Local Staff Training Program Starts at N'Djamena Maintenance Base





Chad's Royal Airways has begun a local staff training program at its N'Djamena Maintenance Base. This program is a key part of their significant fleet upgrade, as they move away from the old E120 aircraft and incorporate 19 new Embraer planes. The aim seems to be to improve operations and service standards. By training local personnel, Royal Airways is not only handling current maintenance needs but also building a stronger, more skilled team for the future. This effort might be very helpful as the airline tries to compete in the busy world of regional airlines and attempts to build a more long-term business.

The launch of a local staff training program at Royal Airways' N'Djamena maintenance facility seems like a smart move, mirroring a larger push across the industry to develop in-house skills. This approach makes good sense, as reducing the need for outside contractors potentially speeds up maintenance work, something crucial for keeping planes operational and profitable. Research seems to indicate that having well-trained maintenance teams can significantly cut down on aircraft downtime – by as much as 30%. Such a statistic certainly would suggest that this investment could lead to quicker repairs, which would improve scheduling consistency.

The content of this training is also key. Modern maintenance skills that include predictive data analysis, could be included, which in theory would increase aircraft reliability while lowering the costs of long-term upkeep. Studies also point towards how better trained staff can lower safety incidents by up to 20%, especially relevant for flights operating in places like Chad where weather conditions might be challenging. By focusing on developing a local workforce, the airline is positioning itself as a leader, something that potentially encourages more regional investments that would build skilled workers for the overall aviation sector.

The new business class on these aircraft also reflects a tendency across the industry to cater to higher paying passengers. The airline seems to understand that having this option can produce more revenues, as business class tickets often demand much higher prices. Also the introduction of the new Embraer aircraft will hopefully enhance operations for the carrier. Modern cockpit technologies likely improve flight safety while cutting the workload of pilots. These newer aircraft should have a better fuel efficiency than the older models. If Royal Airways chooses to pass some of these savings on to the consumers, ticket prices might go down.

Adding new routes to places like Cameroon and Niger is a sign of Royal Airways intent to increase revenue, assuming there is enough passenger demand to fill the planes. It's quite common for regional air travel to grow, which in turn allows airlines like Royal Airways to increase their profitability. This may also draw in a wider range of passengers as culinary experiences are increasingly a factor in how people decide where to travel. This is especially true in places known for good food like Cameroon, with its mix of indigenous and European flavors.


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