Royal Airways, the private Chadian carrier, has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-500, adding a new turboprop type to its fleet. The 19-year-old aircraft, registered TT-ROD and configured for 68 passengers, is due to be repainted in Royal Airways colours in Johannesburg before entering service.
The aircraft previously operated with Binter Canarias and later with Mauritania’s Global Aviation, and most recently flew on wet lease for Cabo Verde Airlines until the end of July. The addition fits the airline’s build-up since it began operations in 2023 and expands capacity for regional routes where short-field performance and lower-density cabin layouts are important. The ATR 72 family is widely used on such sectors because of its suitability for shorter stages and thinner markets.