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CAMAIR-CO Bolsters Network with Wet-Leased Boeing 737-300 from NG Eagle CAMAIR-CO Bolsters Network with Wet-Leased Boeing 737-300 from NG Eagle

CAMAIR-CO, Cameroon’s national airline, has taken decisive action to stabilize its operations by integrating a Boeing 737-300 into its fleet through a wet-lease agreement with Nigeria’s NG Eagle. This strategic move comes at a time when the majority of CAMAIR-CO’s own aircraft remain grounded, underscoring the airline’s ongoing reliance on external partners to maintain scheduled services across its domestic and regional network.

The newly leased Boeing 737-300, a 28-year-old workhorse of the skies, recently underwent a comprehensive C-check maintenance in Lagos before entering commercial service with CAMAIR-CO. This level of maintenance ensures the aircraft meets the strict safety and performance standards required for passenger operations, while offering CAMAIR-CO much-needed operational reliability.

This development highlights a broader trend in Central and West Africa, where airlines increasingly turn to wet-leasing as a rapid solution to fleet shortages, technical delays, or regulatory challenges. For CAMAIR-CO, whose in-house fleet has dwindled to just one active Boeing 737-700, the addition of a wet-leased aircraft is crucial for sustaining route commitments, protecting market share, and maintaining customer confidence.

Wet-leasing, which involves renting both the aircraft and crew from another operator, allows airlines like CAMAIR-CO to quickly deploy additional capacity without the long lead times associated with outright purchases or dry leases. This flexibility is especially vital for African carriers facing fluctuating demand, limited access to capital, and complex maintenance environments.

The partnership with NG Eagle not only brings technical and operational support but also demonstrates a pragmatic approach to intra-African cooperation in aviation. By leveraging regional resources, CAMAIR-CO can ensure service continuity while it works to resolve internal fleet issues and develop a more sustainable long-term strategy.

For Cameroon’s travel and tourism industry, the sustained operation of CAMAIR-CO is essential. The airline serves as a vital link for business, government, and leisure travelers, connecting key cities within Cameroon and supporting regional integration with neighboring countries. The Boeing 737-300’s entry into service will enhance schedule reliability, reduce cancellations, and provide new marketing opportunities for the carrier and its partners in the ecosystem.

This episode also serves as a reminder to African aviation stakeholders of the importance of ongoing fleet renewal, robust maintenance planning, and investment in technical capacity. While wet-leasing offers a rapid solution, it should be paired with long-term strategies for acquiring and maintaining modern aircraft, training local crews, and building resilient supply chains.

As CAMAIR-CO navigates its current operational challenges, its reliance on external leasing arrangements underscores the need for continued reform and modernization within the airline. The coming years will be critical as the carrier works to restore its own fleet, improve financial stability, and regain its competitive edge in the increasingly dynamic Central African aviation market.

For the wider African travel sector, CAMAIR-CO’s experience offers valuable lessons in flexibility, partnership, and the strategic use of leasing to mitigate short-term disruptions while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.