| Airline: | Burundi Airlines |
| Iata: | n/a |
| Icao: | n/a |
| Callsign: | n/a |
| Founded: | 4 February 2021 |
| Headquarters: | Bujumbura |
| Hubs: | Bujumbura International Airport |
Burundi Airlines 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]
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]
The table below illustrates the shareholding in the stock of Burundi Airlines, as of February 2021.[1] [2] [3]
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | Société d’Assurances du Burundi (SOCABU) | Burundi | |
| Total | |||
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]
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]