Burundi Airlines Explained

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]

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]

Burundi Airlines Stock Ownership! Rank !! Name of Owner !! Domicile !!Percentage Ownership
1
2
3 Société d’Assurances du Burundi (SOCABU) Burundi
Total

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]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 28 December 2020 . Burundi Launches Airline Amid Similar Initiatives in East Africa . . Desire Nimubona . 11 January 2021.
  2. Web site: Burundi Airlines Created, State Has 92% Stake . Taarifa Rwanda . 9 February 2021 . Taarifa Staff . 9 February 2021 . Kigali . 20 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210220134548/https://taarifa.rw/burundi-airlines-created-state-has-92-stake/ . dead .
  3. Web site: Burundi Airlines, a Burundian Fresh Start . Airways Magazine . 28 December 2020 . Brent Foster . 11 January 2021 . Miami, Florida, United States . 13 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513212718/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/burundi-airlines-a-fresh-start/ . dead .
  4. Web site: The revival of Air transport was on the menu of the Cabinet . Abpinfos.com . 30 May 2020 . Jean de Dieu . 11 January 2021.
  5. Web site: IWACU Burundi Organization . Employees concerned over merging of SOBUGEA with AIR Burundi . 6 September 2020 . Diane Uwimana . 11 January 2021 . Bujumbura.
  6. Web site: The Government of Burundi mulls a new carrier: Burundi Airlines . Aviation24 Belgium . 28 December 2020 . André Orban . 11 January 2021 . Hofstade, Flemish Brabant, Belgium.
  7. Web site: Burundi Airlines, new national company? . 29 December 2020 . French Air-Journal . 12 October 2021 . François Duclos . Translated from the French language.
  8. Web site: Photo Gallery of Air Burundi then and now . https://web.archive.org/web/20170710132523/http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/skyways/air_burundi.html . dead . 10 July 2017 . 1 January 2021 . Angelfire.com . 11 January 2021 . Tony Edlind . Sweden.
  9. Web site: Burundi Airlines, A Burundian Fresh Start . Airways Magazine . 28 December 2020 . Brent Foster . 24 March 2021 . Miami, Florida, United States . 13 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513212718/https://airwaysmag.com/airlines/burundi-airlines-a-fresh-start/ . dead .