Chad and Cameroon Gain Aviation Boost as Royal Airways Adds First Embraer ERJ145 for Regional Growth

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Chad’s privately owned Royal Airways is strengthening its regional aviation ambitions with the arrival of its first Embraer ERJ145, adding another jet to a fleet being reshaped for domestic and cross-border growth.

The development comes as the N’Djamena-based airline works to expand connectivity within Chad while building a wider network across Central and West Africa.

Royal Airways received new aircraft in N’Djamena on 16 September 2026 as part of its fleet development programme. Recent aviation fleet information also confirms the addition of the ERJ145, giving the carrier another aircraft suited to routes where demand may be too limited for larger narrowbody jets.

The timing is significant. Royal Airways already connects N’Djamena with Douala in Cameroon, while its official expansion plan identifies several additional African destinations for future service.

For Chad, where distances between major population centres are considerable and international air connections remain relatively limited, the fleet expansion could provide greater flexibility for both domestic and regional operations.

Royal Airways Adds ERJ145 to Growing Fleet

The ERJ145 is a regional jet developed by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.

The aircraft family has accumulated more than 26 million flight hours globally. Embraer describes the ERJ145 as an aircraft designed to help airlines match capacity with markets where passenger numbers may not justify deploying much larger jets.

The ERJ family can accommodate up to 50 passengers, depending on configuration.

Embraer says the ERJ145 Long Range version can operate with a full passenger load over a distance of up to 1,550 nautical miles, or 2,873 kilometres, under the manufacturer’s stated standard assumptions.

That capability gives airlines considerable flexibility when building regional networks.

For Royal Airways, the aircraft provides additional capacity between smaller turboprops and the larger jets typically used on high-volume international routes.

N’Djamena Is at the Centre of the Expansion

Royal Airways is headquartered in N’Djamena, making the Chadian capital the centre of its network.

The airline says its long-term objective is to improve connectivity within Chad while developing N’Djamena’s position as a Central African aviation hub.

Royal Airways was established in 2021 and began commercial operations in 2023. It subsequently expanded internationally, launching its N’Djamena-Douala connection in November 2025.

That Cameroon route represented an important transition from a predominantly domestic operation towards a wider regional airline strategy.

Royal Airways currently identifies several services as operational, including connections involving N’Djamena, Abéché and Amdjarass, alongside its international Douala route.

Other domestic services are listed for reopening as additional aircraft become available.

ATR and Embraer Aircraft Give Royal Airways Different Options

The ERJ145 is arriving during a wider period of fleet development.

Royal Airways has also added an ATR 72-500, strengthening its ability to deploy different aircraft according to route requirements.

The airline’s official website describes a fleet incorporating ATR aircraft, Embraer jets and a Falcon 900EX.

This mixed approach can be particularly useful in a geographically large market such as Chad.

ATR turboprops can support shorter domestic and regional sectors, while Embraer regional jets provide greater speed and additional range for selected routes.

Royal Airways previously operated an Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, while fleet records also document ERJ140 operations. Therefore, the arrival of the ERJ145 should be viewed as the next stage of the carrier’s fleet development rather than its first introduction of jet aircraft.

Douala Already Connects Chad With Cameroon

International expansion is no longer simply a future ambition for Royal Airways.

Its N’Djamena-Douala service is currently listed as operating three times a week, with flights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Douala gives the airline access to Cameroon’s largest commercial centre and provides Chad with an important regional connection.

The carrier’s official network plan goes considerably further.

Royal Airways currently identifies the following international destinations as coming soon:

• Bangui
• Niamey
• Kano
• Maiduguri
• Cotonou

These destinations would extend Royal Airways across parts of Central and West Africa if they become operational.

Importantly, they remain planned routes. They should not yet be described as active services until Royal Airways publishes and begins operating confirmed schedules.

West and Central Africa Are Central to Future Growth

Royal Airways’ published plans reveal a network strategy focused on relatively short regional sectors from N’Djamena.

Bangui would strengthen connectivity with the Central African Republic, while Niamey would provide another link into the Sahel.

Kano and Maiduguri would give the airline access to northern Nigeria, while Cotonou would extend the network towards Benin and the Gulf of Guinea.

The airline’s longer-term Vision 2030 also identifies Cairo, Jeddah and Dubai as future ambitions linked to the eventual deployment of larger aircraft.

Those destinations remain part of a future strategy rather than current scheduled operations.

Better Domestic Connections Could Matter Just as Much

Royal Airways’ growth is not focused exclusively on international markets.

The airline says its domestic network covers seven destinations and positions improved internal connectivity as one of its principal objectives.

Its published network includes plans for services involving Sarh, Moundou, Am-Timan, Faya-Largeau and Goz-Beïda, in addition to currently active destinations.

Air links have particular relevance in Chad because of the country’s size. Reliable domestic services can reduce journey times between N’Djamena and distant regional centres while supporting business, government travel and movement between communities.

What the Expansion Could Mean for Chad Tourism

Improved air connectivity also has potential implications for Chad’s developing visitor economy.

The country has distinctive natural attractions, including Zakouma National Park and the landscapes of the Ennedi region. However, tourism development depends on considerably more than aircraft availability, including ground infrastructure, destination services, security conditions and international market access.

For that reason, Royal Airways’ fleet expansion should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a tourism boom.

What it can provide is an additional piece of the connectivity infrastructure needed to support future visitor movement.

Greater regional connectivity could also make N’Djamena more accessible to business travellers and passengers travelling between Chad and neighbouring African economies.

Royal Airways Sets Out Vision for Bigger African Network

Royal Airways describes its long-term goal as positioning Chad as a strategic aviation hub in Central Africa by 2030.

The arrival of its first ERJ145 provides another aircraft suited to that strategy.

The airline now has a combination of regional jets and turboprop capacity while simultaneously rebuilding domestic services and planning additional international connections.

The next stage will be particularly important.

Royal Airways will need to translate its planned destinations into sustainable scheduled services while maintaining reliability across its existing domestic and Cameroon network.

For now, the ERJ145 arrival represents another measurable step in that process. Rather than transforming Chad’s aviation market overnight, it gives Royal Airways greater flexibility to pursue the regional network it has publicly outlined.

As more aircraft enter service and planned routes move towards launch, N’Djamena could gradually gain stronger connections with cities across Central and West Africa.

Royal Airways Expansion at a Glance