Africa World Airlines (AWA) has taken delivery of its first Embraer E190 aircraft, marking the start of a planned 10-aircraft fleet expansion as the Ghanaian carrier moves to increase capacity and strengthen its regional network.
The 102-seat aircraft, registered 9G-FDA, arrived at Kotoka International Airport in Accra on September 19 following a three-day ferry journey from China. The aircraft was welcomed with a traditional water salute marking its arrival and the latest milestone in AWA’s fleet development.
The E190 departed Haikou on September 16 and travelled through Urumqi in China, Astana in Kazakhstan, Yerevan in Armenia and Tunis in Tunisia before completing its journey to Ghana.
Configured with 14 premium economy and 88 economy seats, the aircraft provides significantly greater capacity than the ERJ-145s that have formed the core of AWA’s fleet.
The new aircraft also features AWA’s blue anniversary livery, with “Experience Ghana” displayed at the rear, reflecting the airline’s connection with its home market and the country’s tourism offering.
The E190 is part of Embraer’s E-Jet family, which is designed for short- and medium-haul operations and is widely used for regional connectivity. Its larger capacity is expected to give AWA additional flexibility as it expands its operations.
The arrival of the aircraft is the first delivery under the airline’s planned 10-aircraft fleet expansion programme. The move is aimed at increasing available capacity and supporting the carrier’s plans to develop its network from Ghana.
AWA’s fleet expansion comes as the airline seeks to strengthen its position in the West African market, with the larger E190 providing additional capacity for routes where demand exceeds the capabilities of its smaller regional aircraft.
