UAE Government Leases Fanjet Express Boeing 737-400 for Strategic Flights Across the Middle East and Africa
Since July 1, 2025, the government of the United Arab Emirates has been leasing a Boeing 737-400 from the Kenyan airline Fanjet Express. The aircraft, registered as 5Y-FQC, operates flights to various airports where the UAE maintains strategic interests.
5Y-FQC replaces Boeing 737-400 5Y-FQA. This aircraft had already been flying for the UAE since at least January 2024 to the destinations that are now being served by 5Y-FQC. The -FQA operated its last flight for the UAE government in mid-May 2025. In January 2024 the aircraft flew to Amdjarass in Chad. This airport was also used by IL76 aircraft transporting weapons for the RSF in Sudan.
A strong possibility is that this aircraft is transporting mercenaries to destinations such as South Sudan.
Until June 30, the aircraft had been leased to Daallo Airlines, which used it for scheduled services between Mogadishu in Somalia and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. On June 30, the aircraft flew from Mogadishu to Nairobi, marking the end of that lease. On July 2, 2025, it departed from Nairobi to Fujairah in the UAE. On July 6, it flew onward to Ras al-Khaimah, also in the UAE, which now serves as the aircraft’s home base. When not in operation, the plane is parked there.
That same day, July 6, the aircraft continued directly to Awali Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain. This destination strongly suggests the flights are not ordinary passenger services. The airport is used by VIP visitors, foreign government leaders, visiting heads of state, and even the king of Bahrain himself.
In the following days and weeks, the aircraft operated flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to several destinations, including El Arish in Egypt, located near Gaza. The same flight numbers were consistently used: FJE100 and FJE101. The aircraft uses the military apron at Abu Dhabi AUH.
Two other frequent destinations are Berbera and Bosaso, both in Somaliland. The UAE maintains military bases in these locations, and Emirati funds are being used to develop port infrastructure there.
At Bosaso the aircraft parked at the military ramp contrary to all the civilian scheduled flights which use the civilian ramp.
On July 18 the aircraft flew to N’Djamena in Chad. Another country which UAE has interest in. in 2023 many cargo flights arrived here from UAE. Extremely likely with weapons to support the RSF.
On August 24, a particularly notable flight took place. The aircraft departed from its home base in Ras al-Khaimah to Nairobi. The fact that it did not originate from Abu Dhabi suggests it flew without passengers. After an overnight stop, it departed the next day for Harare, then continued to Bisho in South Africa. This airport was used by the president of the UAE during his vacation in South Africa.
After a three-hour stop, the plane flew on to Maputo. Following a 1.5-hour layover, it departed again for Nairobi. Roughly three hours later, it continued to Berbera, and after one more hour, it flew to Abu Dhabi (AUH). Given that no overnight stop was made, it appears likely that passengers were carried on the flight from Bisho to Abu Dhabi. However, considering the length of the journey, these passengers were almost certainly not VIPs.
After a one-hour stop, the plane made a very short 15-minute hop to Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, where it remained for about 24 hours. On August 27, it departed again for Berbera.
All of this strongly indicates that this Boeing 737-400 is being used primarily for transporting mercenaries, security personnel or construction workers employed on UAE government projects abroad.
