List of government-owned airlines explained

The following is a list of government-owned airlines. The practice of government ownership of airlines, particularly flag carrier airlines, occurs in many countries. The following is a list of both airlines currently owned by a government, and former government-owned airlines.

Current government-owned airlines

Airline Country Stake
51%[1]
100%
100%[2]
Afriqiyah Airways Libya100%[3]
100%[4]
51%
100%
New Caledonia (France) 52.45%
Air Canada6.4%
53.46%[5]
58%[6]
DjiboutiDjibouti Government minor shareholder[7]
France28.6% (through the Air France–KLM holding company). Dutch state has a 9.3% stake[8]
Air Greenland (Greenlandair) Greenland100% [9]
Air Kiribati Kiribati100%[10]
Air Koryo North Korea100%
Air Macau Macau66.9% Air China (majority shareholder - Chinese government)
5% (minority shareholder - government of Macau)[11]
Air Madagascar Madagascar
Air Malta Malta
Air Mauritius Mauritius
New Zealand 52%[12]
Air Niugini Papua New Guinea60%
Air Serbia Serbia100%[13]
Air Seychelles Seychelles100%
Air Tanzania Tanzania100%
Air Zimbabwe Zimbabwe100%[14]
AirBaltic Latvia80%
Aircalin New Caledonia100%
Alliance Air (India) India100%
Ariana Afghan Airlines Afghanistan100%
Arkaim Russia
Aurigny Guernsey100%
Azerbaijan Airlines Azerbaijan100%
Bahamasair Bahamas100%
Belavia Belarus100%
Biman Bangladesh Airlines BangladeshAt least 51%
Boliviana de Aviación Bolivia100%
Cambodia Angkor Air Cambodia51%
Caribbean Airlines Trinidad and Tobago100%
Cathay Pacific6%
Cayman Airways Cayman Islands100%
China Airlines Republic of ChinaChina Aviation Development Foundation (CADF) 31.05%
National Development Fund (NDF) 8.64% [15]
Conviasa Venezuela100%
Croatia Airlines Croatia100%
Cubana de Aviación Cuba100%
Druk Air Bhutan100%
Dubai Royal Air Wing Government of Dubai (UAE)100%
EgyptAir Egypt100%
Emirates Government of Dubai (UAE)100%
Eritrean Airlines Eritrea80% Eritrean government
20% Ethiopia Airlines (Ethiopian government)
Ethiopian Airlines Ethiopia100%
Etihad Airways Government of Abu Dhabi (UAE)100%
Fiji Airways Fiji52%
Finnair Finland55.8%
Flydubai Government of Dubai (UAE)100%
Garuda Indonesia Indonesia60.54%
Gulf Air
Heli Air Monaco Monaco100%[16]
Iran Air Iran60%
Iraqi Airways Iraq100%
ITA Airways Italy100%[17]
KLM Netherlands9.3% (through the Air France–KLM holding company).
French state has a 28.6% stake[18]
Kuwait Airways Kuwait100%
LADE Argentina100%
LAM Mozambique Airlines Mozambique100%
Lao Airlines Laos100%
Libyan Airlines Libya100%
LOT Polish Airlines Poland100%[19]
Luxair LuxembourgMajority (73.86%)
Malaysia Airlines Malaysia100%[20]
Mandarin Airlines TaiwanFully owned subsidiary of Taiwan's China Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines Mongolia
Lebanon100%
Myanmar100%
Myanmar
100%[21]
Singapore Airlines Singapore55.53%[22]
Solomon Airlines Solomon Islands100%[23]
SriLankan Airlines Sri Lanka99.11%[24]
Sudan79.00%[25]
Suriname100%[26]
Syria100%
Angola90.00%[27]
TAP Portugal Portugal97.75% (91.8% directly owned by the government and the remaining 8.2% owned by the TAP Group, where the government has a total share of 72.5%)[28]
TAROM Romania97.22%[29]
Thai Airways International Thailand51.00%[30]
Tunisia[31] [32]
Turkmenistan
Uganda Airlines Uganda100%[33]
Uzbekistan Airways Uzbekistan
Vietnam86.10%[34]
Yemen51.00%[35]

List of former government-owned airlines

This is a list of airlines which were formerly government owned. They have since been privatized or have ceased operations.

AirlineCountryEnd of government ownershipFate
Aer Lingus Ireland2015Ryanair & Government held shares sold to IAG
Albanian Airlines Albania1995
Austrian Airlines Austria2009
Armenian Airlines Armenia2003
Aero Caribbean Cuba2015Merged into Cubana[36]
Russian Federation2010Merged with Aeroflot
Aeroméxico Mexico2007Privatized
Aerotaxi Cuba2009Ceased operations
Air Bissau Guinea-Bissau1998Liquidated[37]
Air Burundi Burundi2009Ceased operations[38]
Air Gabon Gabon2006Bankrupt
Air Guinée Guinea1992Privatized 1992, dissolved 2002
Air India India2021Privatized
Air Ivoire Ivory Coast2011Ceased operations
Air Jamaica Jamaica2011Sold to Caribbean Airlines 2011, ceased operations 2015
Air Liberia Liberia1990Ceased trading
Air Malawi Malawi2013Voluntary liquidation
Air Mali (1960-89) Mali1989Shut down[39]
Air Niger Niger1993Ceased operations[40]
Air Rwanda Rwanda2002Taken over by and rebranded to RwandAir
Air Sénégal International Senegal2009Operations suspended[41]
Air Vanuatu Vanuatu2024Ceased trading[42]
Air Zaïre Zaire1995Bankrupt[43]
Alitalia Italy2021Bankrupt and rebranded to ITA Airways[44]
Berkut Air Kazakhstan2011Rebranded
British Airways United Kingdom1987Privatised[45]
Cabo Verde Airlines Cabo Verde2019Privatized[46]
Cameroon Airlines Cameroon2008Ceased operations
Cyprus Airways (1947–2015) Cyprus2015Bankruptcy
Donavia Russia2016Merged with Rossiya Airlines
Ecuato Guineana Equatorial Guinea~ 2007Unknown
Eurocypria Airlines Cyprus2010Bankruptcy[47]
Gambia International Airlines Gambia2007Shut down
Ghana Airways Ghana2004Ceased operations
Guine Bissau Airlines Guinea Bissau2003
Iberia (airline) Spain2001Privatized
Indian Airlines India2011Ceased operations
Japan Airlines Japan1987Privatized[48]
LAN Chile Chile1994Privatized
Lina Congo Republic of Congo2002Dissolved
Lufthansa Germany1994Privatized[49]
Merpati Nusantara Airlines Indonesia2014Ceased operations
Norfolk Air/ Norfolk Island, Australia2011Ceased operations[50]
NorOntair/ Ontario, Canada1996Ceased operations[51]
Olympic Airlines Greece2009Shut down
Qantas Australia1992Privatized[52]
Eswatini1999Ceased operations
Sierra National Airlines Sierra Leone2004Ceased operations[53]
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Denmark
Sweden
Norway		2001Since 2001, +50% stocks are publicly traded. The Norwegian government confirmed it sold its stake in 2018.[54] In 2024, the Norwegian government once again received a stake, when SAS used stocks to repay part of a 2020 loan. Government stakes remain:14.24 (Danish government)[55]
2.1 (Norwegian government)[56]
14.82 (Swedish government)
South Africa Express South Africa2020Liquidated[57]
South African Airways South Africa2022Privatized
Kenya Airways Kenya1996Government owns minority stake (48.9%)[58]
TAME Ecuador2020Liquidated[59]
TANS Perú Peru2006Shut down[60]
Toumaï Air Tchad Chad2012Ceased operations[61]
Turkish Airlines Turkey2006Privatized[62]
Uganda Airlines (1976-2001) Uganda2001Liquidated[63]
Ukraine International Airlines Ukraine2011Privatized
Ukrainian Cargo Airways Ukraine2009Shut down[64]
Varig Brazil1999
Royal Tongan Airlines Tonga2004
Zambia Airways Zambia1994Ceased operations[65]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Shareholder Capital Structure Aeroflot . ir.aeroflot.com . 9 March 2020.
  2. News: Air New Zealand to launch Buenos Aires with Aerolineas Argentinas codeshare & AsiaPac connections . 18 December 2014 . CAPA Centre for Aviation . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141218104402/http://centreforaviation.com/analysis/air-new-zealand-to-launch-buenos-aires-with-aerolineas-argentinas-codeshare--asiapac-connections-201852 . 18 December 2014.
  3. Web site: About Afriqiyah Airways . afriqiyah.aero . 12 March 2020.
  4. News: Air Algerie to spend $762 million upgrading its fleet . 14 December 2013 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625231352/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=63171 . 25 June 2014.
  5. Web site: 2015 Annual Report. Air China Limited. 21 March 2020.
  6. Web site: Guinée : Air Côte-D'Ivoire inaugure son nouveau siège à Conakry! (Guinea: Air Côte-D'Ivoire inaugurates its new base in Conakry!). Africaguinee.com. fr-FR. 27 April 2017. 5 November 2017.
  7. Web site: 5 February 2011. gulfnews : UAE investor helps launch Djibouti national carrier. https://web.archive.org/web/20110205134802/http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/uae-investor-helps-launch-djibouti-national-carrier-1.754560. dead. 5 February 2011. 3 June 2020.
  8. Web site: 14 June 2022 . Air France-KLM announces the success of its €2.256 billion rights issue . 1 July 2022 . AirFranceKLM Group.
  9. Web site: Air Greenlands management and board. 2023-12-25. Air Greenland.
  10. Web site: Air Kiribati Airline Profile CAPA. 3 June 2020. centreforaviation.com.
  11. "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International 10 April 2007, p. 46.
  12. Web site: Frequently Asked Questions - Investor centre . airnewzealand.co.nz . 11 March 2020. https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/investor-centre-frequently-asked-questions
  13. Web site: Dragojlo . Sasa . November 14, 2023 . Etihad to Quit Air Serbia Co-Ownership, State to Take Full Control . BalkanInsight.
  14. Web site: Simple ownership change to forgive USD150m of debt is not enough to place Air Zimbabwe back on track. 3 June 2020. CAPA - Centre for Aviation. en.
  15. Web site: Consolidated Financial Statements for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 and Independent Auditors' Review Report. 23 February 2024. china-airlines.com.
  16. Web site: Héli Air Monaco . heliairmonaco.com . 11 March 2020. https://www.heliairmonaco.com/en/about/the-company.html,30
  17. Web site: About us. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211020191449/https://www.itaspa.com/en_it/fly-ita/ita-world/about-us.html. 2021-10-20. 2021-11-26. itaspa.com. ITA Airways.
  18. Web site: 14 June 2022 . Air France-KLM announces the success of its €2.256 billion rights issue . 1 July 2022 . AirFranceKLM Group.
  19. Web site: Ownership structure. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211126163443/https://corporate.lot.com/pl/en/ownership-structure. 2021-11-26. 2021-11-26. corporate.lot.com. LOT Polish Airlines.
  20. Web site: Malaysia Airlines Berhad Airline Group Profile. 2021-11-26. centreforaviation.com.
  21. News: 2023-03-14 . Saudi Arabia launches new national airline . en . Reuters . 2023-11-14.
  22. Web site: ANNUAL REPORT FY2018/19. Singapore Airlines. 213. 27 May 2020.
  23. Web site: Solomon Airlines Limited Financial Statements For the year ended 31 December 2015. Office of the Auditor General. 36. 27 May 2020.
  24. Web site: Annual Report 2018/19. SriLankan Airlines. 47. 27 May 2020.
  25. News: 16 December 2011. "Sanctions are hell": Sudan Airways struggles to survive. en. Reuters. 20 May 2020.
  26. Web site: Surinam Airways: "Our continuity is not in danger!". Driessche. Maarten Van Den. 24 May 2018. Aviation24.be. en-GB. 20 May 2020.
  27. Web site: Reports: Qatar Airways To Purchase Stake in TAAG Angola Airlines. Machado. João. 11 September 2019. AirlineGeeks.com. en. 20 May 2020.
  28. Web site: The TAP Group – Institutional. 3 September 2021. Institutional TAP Air Portugal. en.
  29. Web site: Public interest information TAROM - Official Website. tarom.ro. 20 May 2020.
  30. Web site: THAI : THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED. set.or.th. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210101724/https://www.set.or.th/set/companyhighlight.do?symbol=THAI&ssoPageId=5&language=en&country=US. 10 February 2020. 20 May 2020.
  31. Web site: Tunisair Airline Profile CAPA. centreforaviation.com. 10 May 2020.
  32. Web site: UPDATE 1-Tunisair to lose $24.6 million this month, CEO says. 16 March 2020. CNBC. en. 10 May 2020.
  33. Web site: First Plane For Revived Uganda Airlines Arrives March 2019. 20 February 2019. African Leadership Magazine. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328210249/https://africanleadership.co.uk/first-plane-for-revived-uganda-airlines-arrives-march-2019/. 28 March 2019. 10 May 2020.
  34. Web site: Vietnam Airlines plans new listing as Hanoi reduces stake. Nikkei Asian Review. en-GB. 8 April 2020.
  35. Web site: Yemenia - Yemen Airways. Yemenia - Yemen Airways. 8 April 2020.
  36. Web site: AeroCaribbean (Aero Caribbean) history from Americas, Cuba. Airline History. en-GB. 28 March 2020.
  37. Web site: Air Bissau. aerotransport.org. 26 March 2020.
  38. Web site: Air Burundi Airline Profile CAPA. centreforaviation.com. 5 April 2020.
  39. Book: JP airline-fleets international, Edition 89/90. Bucher. 1989.
  40. Book: Guttery, Ben R.. Encyclopedia of African airlines. 1998. McFarland. 0-7864-0495-7. Jefferson, N.C.. 137. 39143011.
  41. News: 24 April 2009. Air Senegal shuts down operations in RAM row. en. Reuters. 3 June 2020.
  42. https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/05/exclusive-qantas-pounces-on-vanuatu-as-its-flag-carrier-flounders/ Qantas pounces on Vanuatu as its flag carrier flounders
  43. Web site: 1995-09-20T00:00:00+01:00. Zaire offers Sabena stake in new airline. 3 June 2020. Flight Global. en.
  44. News: Landini. Francesca. 2021-10-15. ITA takes off, ending Alitalia's turbulent life. en. Reuters. 2021-11-26.
  45. Web site: British Airways was Privatized in the year 1987. British Airways.
  46. Web site: Cabo Verde Airlines has another 44 shareholders – Macauhub. en-US. 20 May 2020.
  47. Web site: 7 August 2011. Eurocypria bombshell - Cyprus Mail. https://web.archive.org/web/20110807025457/http://www.cyprus-mail.com/aviation/eurocypria-bombshell/20101104. dead. 7 August 2011. 3 June 2020.
  48. Web site: History. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211021125408/http://www.jal.com/en/outline/history.html. 2021-10-21. 2021-11-26. jal.com. Japan Airlines.
  49. News: Blüthmann. Heinz. Der Weg zur Privatisierung der Lufthansa ist offen: Neue Freiheit. 13 May 1994. Die Zeit. 26 March 2020. de-DE. 0044-2070.
  50. Web site: Norfolk Air Announcement. Norfolk Air. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120210004745/http://www.norfolkair.com/NorfolkAirAnnouncement.pdf. 10 February 2012. 26 March 2020.
  51. "NorOntair to cease flying 29 March". The Globe and Mail, 16 January 1996.
  52. Web site: Our History - Qantas. 31 March 2020.
  53. Web site: Sierra National Airlines Airline Profile CAPA. centreforaviation.com. 27 May 2020.
  54. News: 27 June 2018 . Norway sells remaining stake in SAS airline . en. Reuters.
  55. Web site: Shareholders . 28 January 2020 . SAS . en-US.
  56. News: SAS vil gi smuler til den norske stat. Norge må bli aksjonær.. Aftenposten. Norwegian. 11 June 2024. 11 June 2024. Valderhaug. Roar.
  57. News: 28 April 2020. South African state airline SA Express faces liquidation. en. Reuters. 27 May 2020.
  58. Oyieke . Samuel . 2002 . Kenya Airways: A case study of privatization . Working Papers . en.
  59. Web site: Covid-19-hit Ecuador to recall ambassadors, including to Malaysia New Straits Times. AFP. 19 May 2020. NST Online. en. 20 May 2020.
  60. Web site: Pictures: Scathing Peruvian inquiry berates TANS Boeing 737 crash crew, government announces airline closure. 31 July 2006. Flight Global. en. 20 May 2020.
  61. Web site: Toumai Air Tchad Airline Profile CAPA. centreforaviation.com. 20 May 2020.
  62. Web site: Turkish Airlines_Explore İstanbul icvb.org.tr. 10 May 2020.
  63. Web site: Increasing tourism, economic growth and oil make Uganda an attractive destination. 2 December 2011. CAPA. 10 May 2020.
  64. Web site: Ukrainian Cargo Airways Airline Profile CAPA. centreforaviation.com. 8 April 2020.
  65. Web site: 94 at a glance. 5 December 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181205182011/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/94-at-a-glance-16774/. 8 April 2020. 5 December 2018.

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