Nigeria: ValueJet Secures Its Third Boeing 737-800
The airline took delivery on Wednesday, August 5th of its first Boeing 737NG registered 5N-CFZ. This aircraft is the first in a series of three Boeing 737NGs that are set to join the fleet in the coming months. It is the third Boeing 737-800 secured by the airline as part of its expansion plan.
A game changer
Until now, ValueJet operated exclusively with CRJ regional jets. The arrival of the Boeing 737NG marks its first foray into narrow-body operations, after four years of operations.
The benefits are significant: many more seats, greater range, and increased cargo capacity. This gives the airline more flexibility to serve high-demand routes.
The aircraft is expected to enter commercial service in September, with the other two to follow in phases.
An expanding network
Since its launch in 2022, ValueJet has built a solid domestic network connecting Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Calabar, Kano, Jos and Benin City.
Internationally, it already serves Accra, Banjul, Cotonou and Malabo. The airline strengthened its regional footprint this year with the launch of daily Lagos-Accra flights in March, followed by direct Accra-Banjul flights in May.
With the new Boeings, ValueJet plans to reinforce its busiest routes such as Lagos-Abuja and Lagos-Port Harcourt, and prepare its expansion to Libreville, Abidjan and other destinations in Anglophone and Francophone Africa.
Management reacts
Managing Director Omololu Majekodunmi described the arrival of the first Boeing as an important milestone and the beginning of a new phase for the airline.
He stressed that it strengthens the ability to serve more passengers, carry more cargo and support expansion across Nigeria and West Africa, with a constant objective: to build a safe, reliable and customer-focused airline.
To support this transition to Boeing, ValueJet’s maintenance engineers are currently undergoing specialized technical training in Lagos, delivered by Boeing in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Aviation, in compliance with international standards.
