Aliko Dangote doesn’t sit still. Hours after his IPO launch, Africa’s richest man was airborne, departing Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 12:31 AM WAT.
His aircraft, a Bombardier Global Express XRS registered N104DA, crossed the Atlantic and touched down at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey at 5:51 AM EDT—the private aviation gateway favoured by Wall Street’s heaviest hitters.
The Global Express XRS carried an original retail price of roughly $59 million to $62 million when new. Production of this specific model ended in 2012, when it was rebranded and upgraded as the Global 6000, meaning all available models today are purchased pre-owned.
Operating an ultra-long-range jet like this isn’t cheap. Hourly variable costs run $7,900 to $8,700, covering fuel burn of roughly 505 gallons per hour, engine maintenance reserves, and landing fees. Annual fixed costs sit between $1.0 million and $1.2 million for crew salaries, hangar storage, insurance, and recurrent training. Total annual budget lands between $3.6 million and $5.3 million, based on flying 200 to 450 hours a year.
The departure was captured by local aviation videographer TheNaijaSpotter, who shared the footage on Instagram.
Dangote is reportedly in the US for another round of business meetings, following a capital markets move that has the continent watching.
