OUAGADOUGOU — Minister Roland Somda announced on Thursday that Air Burkina is set to acquire a new aircraft by September 2024, marking a shift from the national airline's previous practice of leasing planes.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision to purchase rather than lease is driven by the belief that ownership offers a more sustainable solution for the aviation sector. The announcement was made during an evaluation session of the target contracts assigned to various ministers for the first half of 2024 in Ouagadougou. Somda detailed that a team had been sent to China to inspect the aircraft intended for purchase. "Tests have been carried out, and all that remains is to finalize the procurement procedure in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance," he stated.

The announcement comes after a recent ministerial reshuffle on August 1, 2024, which saw Somda transition from the Ministry of Transport to the Ministry of Sport and Youth, signaling a period of change within the government's ranks.