From strengthening its dominance in West and Central Africa to positioning Lomé as a premier gateway between Africa and the world, ASKY is charting a course toward becoming the undisputed champion of African connectivity.
In this exclusive conversation with VoyagesAfriq, Daté Dovéné TEVI-BENISSAN, Director Commercial of ASKY Airlines, outlines an ambitious yet disciplined roadmap for the carrier’s future.
With fleet expansion plans that include additional Boeing 737 aircraft from 2026 and a long-term vision that contemplates widebody operations to Europe, TEVI-BENISSAN speaks candidly about sustainable growth, operational reliability and the airline’s unique Pan-African identity. He underscores that safety remains non-negotiable, service excellence is the key commercial driver and strategic cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines provides global expertise and network strength.
As ASKY eyes new markets, including North Africa and key European diaspora destinations, the interview reveals how the airline is leveraging resilience, technology and authentic African hospitality to deliver consistent performance in a challenging operating environment—while playing a pivotal role in advancing economic integration across the continent.
1. What is your long-term vision for ASKY?
As Director Commercial, my vision is to establish ASKY as the undisputed champion of African connectivity, the most reliable and relevant airline for the continent. We aim to be the essential link uniting Africa’s regions and connecting the diaspora to its roots. This means sustainable, disciplined growth. We position Lomé as the premier gateway between Africa and the world. Our immediate focus is solidifying leadership in West and Central Africa, but our ambition is Pan-African and intercontinental. With two aircraft joining in 2026 and two more in 2027, we have the capacity to turn this vision into reality.
2. How do you balance commercial performance with safety and service excellence?
For ASKY, this is not a balance but a clear hierarchy. Safety is the absolute, non-negotiable foundation. There is no commercial success without it. Every decision, from route launches to scheduling, is filtered through this lens. Our operation ensures world-class standards and dispatch reliability. Once safety is secure, service excellence becomes our primary commercial driver. A reliable, punctual, and genuinely warm journey builds loyalty and drives profitability. Our commercial targets are intrinsically linked to customer satisfaction and on-time performance. A safe, happy passenger is our most valuable commercial asset, proving that responsibility and performance go hand in hand
3. What differentiates ASKY from other African carriers?
ASKY’s differentiation is threefold. First, we are truly Pan-African: our shareholders and crew come from across the continent, creating authentic onboard hospitality. Second, our deep commercial cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines provides world-class expertise and a global network of over 140 destinations, and a unique Africa-Africa cooperation. Third, our unwavering focus on reliability makes us the dependable choice. We compete not on size, but on relevance and consistency. In an unpredictable environment, our “customer-focused, dispatch reliable” ethos is a commitment we live by daily, offering a value proposition genuinely unique in the African market and facilitating real economic integration.
4. Are there plans to expand into new regional or intercontinental markets?
Absolutely, but expansion is always disciplined and demand-driven. Our immediate priority is strengthening our West and Central African network, adding frequencies and serving underserved secondary cities. The addition of two aircraft in 2026 and two more in 2027 gives us this capacity. Beyond this, we are actively studying North Africa, with Casablanca as a prime candidate. Looking ahead, intercontinental expansion to Europe is a key goal. Destinations like Paris, Lisbon, and Madrid are crucial for the diaspora and business. We are carefully planning this evolution to launch with the same reliability and authentic hospitality that define our brand.
5. What is your fleet strategy for the next 5–10 years?
Our fleet strategy rests on measured growth, efficiency, and flexibility. We operate modern, fuel-efficient aircraft optimized for our network. Over the next 5–10 years, we will continue harmonizing and gradually expanding the fleet in order to:
- Improve frequency on high-demand routes
- Open select new destinations
- Maintain cost competitiveness
- Reduce environmental impact
Adding two Boeing 737s in 2026 and two more in 2027 allows us to match capacity with demand without overextending operations. Maintaining focus on the 737 family streamlines pilot flexibility, maintenance, and spares management, key drivers of our reliability. Looking ahead, our intercontinental ambitions will require introducing a fuel-efficient widebody aircraft for long-haul routes. We are actively evaluating models like the B787-8 and -9, prioritizing range, passenger comfort, and sustainability, to find the perfect complement to our fleet and connect Africa directly to key global capitals.
6. How do you ensure operational reliability despite infrastructure challenges?
Operating in West and Central Africa requires resilience, anticipation, and strong partnerships. Our strategy is proactive and multi-layered. First, our technical partnership with Ethiopian Airlines provides world-class MRO capabilities, ensuring our fleet meets the highest standards. Second, our operations control center in Lomé constantly monitors conditions across 30 destinations, allowing us to proactively manage disruptions. Third, we cultivate strong collaborative relationships with airport authorities and ground handlers at every destination to streamline turnaround times. Our own B737 MAX simulator under construction will further strengthen training autonomy. Reliability is engineered through preparation and collaboration.
7. How is ASKY enhancing passenger experience across its network?
Enhancing passenger experience starts with our people. Our cabin crew, drawn from across Africa, deliver authentic warmth and cultural sensitivity that define our brand. We invest continuously in their training. Digitally, we are enhancing our website and app to make booking seamless. We are improving lounge experiences for our loyalty members. Onboard, we regularly review catering to offer a taste of Africa and explore entertainment upgrades. Crucially, we listen to feedback from our ASKY Club loyal FFP members to understand what matters most. Ultimately, it is about respecting passengers’ time, strengthening communication during disruptions, and making them feel valued at every touchpoint.
8. What motivates you personally as Director Commercial?What motivates me is building sustainable connectivity in a structurally challenging environment. Commercial aviation in Africa requires constant balance: managing high operational costs, regulatory limitations, and infrastructure gaps, while still delivering growth and profitability. Every day, I witness our tangible impact, the business traveller connecting across regions, the family reunited, the student pursuing new opportunities. Each passenger has a personal story, and that serves as my biggest motivation, knowing that I contribute to positive impacts in people’s lives. ASKY is not just moving people; we are facilitating Africa’s progress and unity. I am also inspired daily by my Pan-African colleagues dedicated to this shared vision. Driving commercial performance while contributing to Africa’s integration, that is both the challenge and the motivation
This article was first published in the March/ITB 32 of the VoyagesAfriq Travel Magazine
