Strategic base shift reflects emerging project cargo demand and intra-African logistics ambitions
Nairobi-based charter operator Air Bonanza Express is repositioning its IL-76TD heavy freighter operations to better serve surging demand across West and Central Africa, in a move that underscores the continent’s evolving air cargo landscape and infrastructure requirements.
The carrier has announced it will now base the IL-76 at Ndjamena (Chad) and Abidjan (Ivory Coast), transitioning from previous operational hubs in Ghana, Kenya, and South Sudan, where it primarily supported United Nations peacekeeping logistics in Mali and other ad hoc project cargo assignments.
“This relocation is both strategic and demand-driven,” said Boniface Kimani, CEO of Air Bonanza Express. “There are a number of confirmed and pending project cargo movements in the region, and this shift allows us to proactively align with regional logistics needs while minimizing repositioning costs for our customers.”
Closer to the Cargo: Aligning with Regional Realities
West Africa, despite its growing infrastructure investments and expanding industrial footprint, remains underserved in terms of oversized cargo capabilities. The IL-76TD—with its ability to transport outsize and project cargo—is ideally suited to bridge this gap.
Kimani emphasized the need to bring such capability closer to the point of demand.
“Mobilization and demobilization costs for widebody freighters often exceed the cost of actual airlift. By positioning the aircraft in key regional markets, we eliminate a significant barrier for customers needing quick, reliable access to heavy-lift air transport.”
This realignment also supports Air Bonanza Express’s broader ambition to create a more structured intra-regional air cargo network, working in partnership with local cargo agents to identify and consolidate shipments that can move more efficiently via charter.
Growing Portfolio: A Modernized Freighter in the Pipeline
In addition to the IL-76, Air Bonanza Express is in advanced negotiations to lease a Boeing 767-300F, a twin-engine, long-range freighter known for its fuel efficiency and versatility across medium-haul routes.
“The 767 freighter will complement our existing fleet by allowing us to serve markets where operational costs and frequency matter just as much as lift capability,” Kimani said. “It’s part of a larger vision to offer a full spectrum of cargo solutions—from heavy-lift to scheduled mid-size capacity.”
Vertical Capabilities: Helicopter Lift for Hard-to-Reach Zones
Further strengthening its niche capabilities, Air Bonanza continues to offer payload solutions using the Mi-26T, the largest serial-production helicopter in the world. With a 20-ton payload capacity and rear-loading ramp, the Mi-26T is ideally suited for remote and humanitarian operations across rugged or inaccessible regions.
The Bigger Picture: Supporting Africa’s Air Cargo Ecosystem
As Africa’s economies grow more interconnected and infrastructure investments ramp up, project cargo, mining equipment, industrial parts, and humanitarian relief continue to form the backbone of the region’s air charter requirements.
By realigning assets and expanding fleet capabilities, Air Bonanza Express is positioning itself as a responsive and flexible air logistics partner—particularly in regions where scheduled cargo lift remains limited or unsuited to complex cargo configurations.
“We see ourselves not just as a carrier, but as an enabler of intra-African trade and connectivity,” said Kimani. “Our goal is to build trust with our partners by being present, agile, and ready to move when and where it matters most.”
