More capacities to tackle pandemic
With the arrival of the first converted B767-200 freighter in Africa, which will join Astral Aviation in January 2021, the Kenyan carrier will offer an on-demand charter service for vaccines to Africa. This will complement its existing regional freighter fleet consisting of B727, DC-9, Fokker 50 and Fokker 27 to provide onward delivery to the end-destination from its Nairobi hub.
According to CEO Sanjeev Gadhia, Astral has transported thousands of tonnes of vaccines and pharma products on its fleet in its 20-year existence and has played an important role in various immunisation programs (e.g. Ebola in the DRC and Cholera in Yemen). During the Covid-19 pandemic, Astral transported in excess of 15,000 t of PPE, testing kits, ventilators, and related products to over 40 countries in Africa. (ah)