Nigeria's Bellview to replace 737 with A320s
David Kaminski-Morrow/Paris Nigerian carrier Bellview Airlines is to begin replacing its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft with Airbus A320s from the end of this year. Bellview Airlines managing director Kayo de Odukoya disclosed the plan during the IATA Annual General Meeting in Paris. He declines to reveal the source of the jets but says that they will be leased, with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of 2006 and continuing to September next year. The engine type is unclear. The A320s will be used to replace directly the airline’s five Boeing 737-200s and its single 737-300. Odukoya insists that the fleet replacement was already in the airline’s plans before the carrier suffered the loss of a Boeing 737 in October last year. Bellview operates primarily from Lagos to destinations in West and Central Africa but also serves a handful of routes in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The carrier’s long-haul fleet comprises a pair of Boeing 767s.

Its about time!! This is the best news I have heard from or about B6 in a long time. The A320s should also improve their bottom line through improved economics. I believe this fleet replacement will take them off the UN list of blacklisted carriers in the West Africa which will enable them to exploit the potentially lucrative market of ferrying UN staff around the West Coast. Cheers, Walter.

Good for Nigerian Aviation anyway, How about SA carriers Kulula,Comair and Nationwide will replace its ageing fleet?