11 September 2026

Air Sénégal Adds Boeing 737-800 Gorée to Fleet

Air Sénégal has received a Boeing 737-800NG named Gorée at Blaise Diagne International Airport, a 174-seat aircraft acquired with Senegalese state support that carries Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games branding and flew to Athens to collect the Olympic flame.

African Airline

A Boeing 737-800 in Air Senegal's green, gold and red livery with Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games branding, parked on the apron at Blaise Diagne International Airport with boarding stairs in place. — Gorée, the Boeing 737-800NG received by Air Sénégal at Blaise Diagne International Airport, in Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games branding. [Aéroport International Blaise Diagne SA]

Edited by:

African Pilot Newsdesk

Why this article matters
The arrival of the 737-800 gives Air Sénégal additional narrowbody capacity now, while its longer-term fleet expansion plans remain under development. The aircraft supports current network needs and forms part of the airline’s broader effort to modernise its fleet and reduce reliance on leased aircraft.

The addition is also relevant in the context of Air Sénégal’s proposed acquisition of nine Boeing 737-8s. Until that transaction is finalised and those aircraft are introduced, the 737-800 provides an immediate capacity increase while the airline progresses its wider narrowbody fleet strategy.

Of Interest
- Air Sénégal formally received the Boeing 737-800NG Gorée at Blaise Diagne International Airport on 7 September 2026.
- The aircraft is configured with 174 seats across two cabins and has a stated range of up to 5,400 km.
- Air Sénégal said the aircraft was acquired with support from the Senegalese state as part of its fleet modernisation programme.
- Gorée carries special Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games branding and departed for Athens on 8 September to collect the Olympic flame.
- Air Sénégal is also progressing plans to introduce additional Boeing narrowbody aircraft, including a proposed acquisition of nine 737-8s.
- Boeing and Air Sénégal announced the commitment for nine 737-8 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025.

Air Sénégal has formally received a Boeing 737-800NG named Gorée, adding capacity as the national carrier continues its fleet renewal and prepares for further network development.

The aircraft was received at Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) on 7 September 2026 during a ceremony attended by Senegal's Minister of Land and Air Transport, Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye, and Air Sénégal Director General Tidiane Ndiaye. Gabon's Minister of State for Transport, Merchant Marine and Logistics, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, who was visiting Senegal, also attended.

Configured with 174 seats across two cabins, Gorée has a stated range of up to 5,400km. Air Sénégal said the aircraft will increase its operational capacity and support the development of its network.

The airline confirmed earlier in September that the 737-800 had been acquired with the support of the Senegalese state. The acquisition forms part of Air Sénégal's wider fleet modernisation strategy, which is intended to increase operational capacity, support network expansion and reduce reliance on leased aircraft.

Gorée also carries special branding for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, for which Air Sénégal is an official partner. The aircraft departed Senegal for Athens on 8 September on a mission to collect the Olympic flame ahead of the Games, which are scheduled to take place in Dakar from 31 October to 13 November 2026.

The 737-800 addition comes as Air Sénégal prepares for a broader expansion of its Boeing narrowbody fleet. The airline has been progressing plans to introduce 737 NG aircraft alongside a proposed acquisition of nine Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Boeing and Air Sénégal announced a commitment for nine 737-8 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025. At the time, Boeing said the transaction would become Air Sénégal's largest aircraft purchase once finalised and would support regional and international expansion. Air Sénégal subsequently said in June 2026 that work on the proposed acquisition was continuing, including pilot training ahead of the planned introduction of the aircraft.

The arrival of Gorée provides additional narrowbody capacity while the airline advances these longer-term fleet plans.