Burundi Airlines
Burundi Airlines (IATA: n/a, ICAO: n/a) is a state-owned national airline of Burundi, to function as the national carrier of that East African country. The government of Burundi owns 92 percent of the new airline's stock.[1] Burundi Airlines was formally established on 4 February 2021.[2]
| |||||||
| Founded | 4 February 2021 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Bujumbura International Airport | ||||||
| Headquarters | Bujumbura | ||||||
Overview
The new airline is a merger of the defunct Air Burundi, which ceased operations in 2009, and SOBUGEA, a Burundian government-owned company responsible for ground handling and airport maintenance. The new combined entity will own 92 percent of Burundi Airlines stock. The remaining 8 percent shareholding will be split between a Belgian company and the state-owned insurance company, Societe d’Assurances du Burundi (Socabu).[1][3]
Ownership
The table below illustrates the shareholding in the stock of Burundi Airlines, as of February 2021.[1][2][3]
| Rank | Name of Owner | Domicile | Percentage Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government of Burundi | Burundi | 92.0 |
| 2 | Company Affiliated With SABENA | Belgium | 4.0 |
| 3 | Société d’Assurances du Burundi (SOCABU) | Burundi | 4.0 |
| Total | 100.0 | ||
History
The former national carrier, Air Burundi was established in 1971, began operations in 1975 and ceased operations in 2009.[2] As part of previous attempts at revival of Air Burundi, the matter came up for discussion during a Cabinet of Burundi meeting on 26 May 2020.[4][5]
When the matter came up again in a cabinet meeting on 28 December 2020, a decision was made to merge Air Burundi assets, with those of SOBUGEA to constitute the government's 92 percent contribution to the new Burundi Airlines. Other shareholders include the state-owned insurer, Société d’Assurances du Burundi (SOCABU) and the estate of the defunct Belgian airline, SABENA.[1][2][6][7]
Fleet
In 2012 the defunct Air Burundi took delivery of a Xian MA60, 52-seater, two-engine turboprop aircraft. Under arrangement with the manufacturers, another similar aircraft was due to be delivered later. The new Burundi Airlines is expected to begin service with those two airplanes.[8][9] More aircraft will be acquired as need arises, going forward.[2]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xian MA60 | 1 | 1 | 52 | ||
| Total | 1 | 1 | |||
See also
References
- Desire Nimubona (28 December 2020). "Burundi Launches Airline Amid Similar Initiatives in East Africa". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- Taarifa Staff (9 February 2021). "Burundi Airlines Created, State Has 92% Stake". Kigali: Taarifa Rwanda. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
- Brent Foster (28 December 2020). "Burundi Airlines, a Burundian Fresh Start". Miami, Florida, United States: Airways Magazine. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- Jean de Dieu (30 May 2020). "The revival of Air transport was on the menu of the Cabinet". Abpinfos.com. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- Diane Uwimana (6 September 2020). "Employees concerned over merging of SOBUGEA with AIR Burundi". Bujumbura: IWACU Burundi Organization. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- André Orban (28 December 2020). "The Government of Burundi mulls a new carrier: Burundi Airlines". Hofstade, Flemish Brabant, Belgium: Aviation24 Belgium. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- François Duclos (29 December 2020). "Burundi Airlines, new national company?" (Translated from the French language). French Air-Journal. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- Tony Edlind (1 January 2021). "Photo Gallery of Air Burundi then and now". Sweden: Angelfire.com. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- Brent Foster (28 December 2020). "Burundi Airlines, A Burundian Fresh Start". Miami, Florida, United States: Airways Magazine. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
