![CronosE175](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/2024-08/image_1.jpeg?itok=9gLWa1BC)
Small West African carrier Cronos Airlines is expanding its fleet and route map with the arrival of its first Embraer E-Jet.
Equatorial Guinea-based Cronos already operates a pair of older Embraer 145s, but the acquisition of the E175 will make it the airline’s largest aircraft. It was formerly leased to Alitalia’s CityLiner regional subsidiary and was built in December 2012.
The aircraft is configured with a single-class cabin for 88 passengers, considerably increasing the airline’s capacity, both for passengers and freight, according to Cronos.
The tiny West African state, which is classed as an upper middle-income country with oil and extensive mineral deposits, consists of a mainland plus several offshore islands, on one of which the capital, Malabo, is located.
Cronos operates from Malabo to the country’s other main city, Bata, and several regional destinations, such as Douala, Cameroon, and Port Harcourt, Nigeria. New destinations are planned following the arrival of the E175. The company also operates charter services.
Cronos is the latest African carrier to take on an example of the E175. In September last year, Nigeria’s Air Peace ordered five, while another Nigerian carrier, Overland Airways, has two. South Africa’s Airlink has also added three E175s so far this year to its large fleet of E-Jets, while Air Botswana has just taken delivery of its first.