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{{Short description|Airlines of Burundi}}
{{Infobox Airline
{{Infobox Airline
|airline= Air Burundi
|airline= Air Burundi
Line 7: Line 8:
|callsign=AIR-BURUNDI
|callsign=AIR-BURUNDI
|founded=1971
|founded=1971
|ceased=2009<ref>[https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/air-burundi/ Air Burundi] airlinehistory.co.uk, accessdate 21 September 2020</ref><ref>[https://centreforaviation.com/data/profiles/airlines/air-burundi-pbu Air Burundi] centreforaviation.com, accessdate 21 September 2020</ref>
|headquarters=[[Bujumbura]]
|headquarters=[[Bujumbura]]
|key_people= Emmanuel Habimana<br/>[[Managing Director|Group Managing Director]]
|key_people= Emmanuel Habimana<br/>[[Managing Director|Group Managing Director]]
|hubs=[[Bujumbura International Airport]]
|hubs=[[Bujumbura International Airport]]
|frequent_flyer=
|frequent_flyer=
|fleet_size= 2
|fleet_size= 1
|destinations= 0
|destinations= 3 (All suspended)
|website={{url|flyairburundi.com}}
|website={{url|https://www.burundiairlines.bi/}}
}}
}}
[[File:Air Burundi Xian MA-60 at Kunming - Wujiaba.jpg|thumb|Air Burundi [[Xian MA-60]]]]
'''Air Burundi''' was the state-owned national [[airline]] of [[Burundi]], although in practice it has not been operational since 2009.


At its peak, the airline operated scheduled regional passenger services to [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]], and [[Uganda]] with its main base at [[Bujumbura International Airport]],<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 53 | date= 2007-04-03}}</ref> and headquarters in [[Bujumbura]].<ref name="flightglobal.com">''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 31 March 6 April 1999. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1999/1999%20-%200771.html?search=%22Air%20Burundi%22 51].</ref><ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09 - 0060.html 58]."</ref>
'''Air Burundi''' is the state-owned national [[airline]] of [[Burundi]], although in practice it has not been operational since 2009.

It used to operate scheduled regional passenger services to [[Rwanda]], [[Tanzania]], and [[Uganda]]. Its main base was [[Bujumbura International Airport]],<ref name="FI">{{cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= [[Flight International]] | page= 53 | date= 2007-04-03}}</ref> and its headquarters are also in [[Bujumbura]].<ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 31 March - 6 April 1999. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1999/1999%20-%200771.html?search=%22Air%20Burundi%22 51].</ref><ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09 - 0060.html 58]."</ref>


==History==
==History==
=== Early history ===
The airline was established in April 1971, and started operations in 1975. It was formed as ''Société de Transports Aériens du Burundi'', and adopted the present name in June 1975.
The airline was established in April 1971, and started operations in 1975. It was formed as ''Société de Transports Aériens du Burundi'', and adopted the present name in June 1975. The airline began operations a fleet of two [[Douglas DC-3]]s followed by two [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter]] and a [[Sud Caravelle|Sud Caravelle III]] in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/skyways/air_burundi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710132523/http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/skyways/air_burundi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 10, 2017|title=Air Burundi|website=[[Angelfire]]|access-date=2016-09-12}}</ref> The 1996 [[Burundian Civil War]] put a lot of pressure on the airline, and transportation of all forms in the country was paralyzed. In 1999 the [[East African Community]] lifted sanctions on [[Burundi]] and the airline resumed operations from February 1, 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/183814/wp255_grauvogel_0.pdf|title=Regional Sanctions against Burundi: A Powerful Campaign and its Unintended Consequences|last=Grauvogel|first=Julia|date=September 2014|website=|access-date=}}</ref>


=== Troubled operations ===
It ceased operations in the spring of 2007. In 2008, the airline was relaunched with daily flights to [[Kigali]] and [[Entebbe]].
[[File:Bujumbura airport - Flickr - Dave Proffer (1).jpg|Air Burundi Sud SE-210 Caravelle III aircraft at [[Bujumbura International Airport]] in 2007|thumb]]
The airline continued to provide scheduled flights to nearby regional cities, however in spring of 2007, due to technical issues it temporarily suspended operations. In 2008, the airline was relaunched with a much smaller network, providing daily flights to [[Kigali]] and [[Entebbe]].


In September 2009, an inability to secure adequate funding to overhaul its aircraft led to the airline's suspension of operations; the single aircraft in operation, a [[Beechcraft 1900]], had reached the maximum flight hours before a major service was mandated. The aircraft was flown to [[South Africa]] to undergo regular maintenance operations, to cost at least $1m.
In September 2009, an inability to secure adequate funding to overhaul its aircraft led to the airline's suspension of operations; the single aircraft in operation, a [[Beechcraft 1900]], had reached the maximum flight hours before a major service was mandated. The aircraft was flown to [[South Africa]] to undergo regular maintenance operations, to cost at least $1m.


Press reports in September 2013 indicated that the airline will require US$1.3million to overhaul and return its Beechcraft 1900C into active service in support of the airline's sole functioning aircraft, an [[MA60]].<ref name="ch">{{cite news | title= Air Burundi to need $4mln to resume services| work= [http://ch-aviation.ch/portal/news/22032-air-burundi-to-need-4mln-to-resume-services press report at ch-aviation] | date= 2013-09-24}}</ref> Despite the arrival of the MA60, operations have yet to resume. For a second MA60, due as part of a "Buy-One/Get-One Free" deal with [[China]], the contract regarding the purchase of the aircraft (recorded as having been a "donation" from China to Burundi) had yet to be finalized, with no delivery date agreed to date.<ref name="ch"/>
Press reports in September 2013 indicated that the airline will require $1.3 million to overhaul and return its Beechcraft 1900C into active service in support of the airline's sole functioning aircraft, an [[MA60]].<ref name="ch">{{cite news | title= Air Burundi to need $4mln to resume services| work=ch-aviation.ch | date= 2013-09-24}}</ref> Despite the arrival of the MA60, operations have not resumed. For a second MA60, due as part of a "[[Buy one, get one free]]" deal with [[China]], the contract regarding the purchase of the aircraft (recorded as having been a "donation" from China to Burundi) had yet to be finalised, with no delivery date agreed to date.<ref name="ch"/>


==Corporate affairs==
=== Revival ===
In August 2011, [[East Africa]]n media reported that Air Burundi had started a process of restructuring. Six international companies had already been pre-selected, through competitive bidding, to propose a restructuring process. Plans were apparently under way to either lease or acquire new aircraft to facilitate the resumption of flight operations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201108291772.html|title=Burundi: Air Burundi to Restructure|date=2011-08-29|work=East African Business Week (Kampala)|access-date=2017-09-16}}</ref>
[[Air Burundi]], the national airline, has its head office in Bujumbura.<ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 31 March - 6 April 1999. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1999/1999%20-%200771.html?search=%22Air%20Burundi%22 51].</ref><ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200060.html 58]."</ref>
===Ownership===
Air Burundi is wholly owned by the [[government of Burundi]].<ref name="FI"/>


In January 2013 it was reported that the privatisation of Air Burundi had in part been delayed by the carrier's 90% shareholding in SOBUGEA (''Société Burundaise de Gestion Aéroportuaire''), the country's airport management company. Staff there argued that the Privatisation bill introduced by the government contained many irregularities, including reference to "Air-Burundi/Sobugea", a company that does not exist: "The first is a public company created in 1975, governed by Decree No. 100/160 of September 5, 1997, while the second was born in 1981 and governed by the laws of 12 March 2008."<ref name="African">{{cite news|title=BURUNDI: Lack of political, legal will sabotaging the privatization of Air Burundi, Civil aviation authority.|date=2013-01-12|work=The African Aviation Tribune website}}</ref> Although privatisation had been discussed a while ago, it was argued that the two companies should be taken separately: "Each has its heritage and its status. Contrary to what is stated in the explanatory memorandum, any reform concerning Air Burundi does not include SOBUGEA."<ref name="African" />
In August 2011, [[East Africa]]n media reported that Air Burundi had started a process of restructuring. Six international companies had already been pre-selected, through competitive bidding, to propose a restructuring process. Plans were apparently under way to either lease or acquire new aircraft to facilitate the resumption of flight operations.<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201108291772.html Air Burundi to Restructure]</ref>


==Corporate affairs==
In January 2013 it was reported that the privatization of Air Burundi had in part been delayed by the carrier's 90% shareholding in SOBUGEA (''Société Burundaise de Gestion Aéroportuaire''), the country's airport management company. Staff there argued that the Privatization bill introduced by the government contained many irregularities, including reference to "Air-Burundi/Sobugea", a company that does not exist: "The first is a public company created in 1975, governed by Decree No. 100/160 of September 5, 1997 while the second was born in 1981 and governed by the laws of 12 March 2008."<ref name="African"/> Although privatization had been discussed a while ago, it was argued that the two companies should be taken separately: "Each has its heritage and its status. Contrary to what is stated in the explanatory memorandum, any reform concerning Air Burundi does not include SOBUGEA."<ref name="African">{{cite news | title= BURUNDI: Lack of political, legal will sabotaging the privatization of Air Burundi, Civil aviation authority. | work= The African Aviation Tribune website | date= 2013-01-12}}</ref>


===Ownership===
Past suitors for Air Burundi were reported to have included the [[Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development]] (AKFED) (who in turn own the [[Celestair|Celestair Group]] that includes Air Uganda, Air Mali and Air Burkina Faso) and various Chinese investors; nothing has borne fruit as yet, and the view was that any potential investors in a privatized Air Burundi will be "wary of the lack of a robust, clear legal framework that specifically defines the company's activities and roles."<ref name="African"/>
Air Burundi, which had its head office in Bujumbura,<ref name="flightglobal.com"/><ref>''World Airline Directory''. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "[http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%200060.html 58]."</ref> was wholly owned by the [[government of Burundi]].<ref name="FI"/>

Past suitors for Air Burundi were reported to have included the [[Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development]] (AKFED) (who in turn own the [[Celestair|Celestair Group]] that includes Air Uganda, Air Mali and Air Burkina Faso) and various Chinese investors; no proposal bore fruit however, and the view was that any potential investors in a privatised Air Burundi would be "wary of the lack of a robust, clear legal framework that specifically defines the company's activities and roles."<ref name="African"/>


===Business trends===
===Business trends===
Financial and other business figures for Air Burundi were rarely published, even before operations were suspended.
Financial and other business figures for Air Burundi were rarely published, even before operations were suspended; net profit figures have been reported as below:
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|-
! style="background: #FBE737;"|
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2006
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2007
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2008
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2009
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2010
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2011
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2012
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2013
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2014
! style="background: #FBE737;"|2015
|-
| Net profit ([[Burundian franc|FBu]] m)
| align=center| 291.1
| align=center| {{color|red|−11.7}}
| align=center| {{color|red|−346.5}}
| align=center| {{color|red|−253.2}}
| align=center| 71.9
| align=center| 318.4
| align=center| 164.5
| align=center| 465.1
| align=center| {{color|red|−162.7}}
! align=center| {{color|red|−83.9}}
|-
| <small>''Notes/sources''</small>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu"/>
| align=center|<ref name="Iwacu">{{cite news|title= Evolution des Resultats net de la Sobugea et l'Air Burundi (2006-2015)|website= iwacu-burundi.org/|url= https://www.iwacu-burundi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Sobugea-Air-Bdi.png }}</ref>
|}


==Destinations==
==Destinations==
Line 75: Line 119:


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
===Fleet at closure===

The Air Burundi fleet consisted of the following aircraft (as of August 2019):<ref>{{cite journal|title=Global Aircraft Guide 2019 (Part One)|journal=Airliner World|issue=October 2019|page=7}}</ref>
===Current fleet===
[[File:Air Burundi Caravelle Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|The Air Burundi Caravelle, pictured in 1976]]
The Air Burundi fleet consisted of the following aircraft (as of January 2013):<ref>[http://www.eturbonews.com/26827/air-burundi-orders-chinese-built-ma60-turboprops Fleet as of December 2011]</ref>
{|class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse"
[[File:Air Burundi Caravelle Fitzgerald.jpg|thumb|The Air Burundi Caravelle, pictured in 1976]]
|+ '''Air Burundi fleet'''
<center>
{|class="toccolours" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+ '''Air Burundi Fleet'''
|- bgcolor=#FBE737
|- bgcolor=#FBE737
!rowspan="1" | Aircraft</span>
!rowspan="1" | Aircraft
!rowspan="1" style="width:50px;"| In Service</span>
!rowspan="1" style="width:50px;"| In service
!rowspan="1" style="width:50px;"| Orders</span>
!rowspan="1" style="width:50px;"| Orders
!colspan="1"| Passengers</span>
!colspan="1"| Passengers
!rowspan="1"| Notes</span>
!rowspan="1"| Notes
|-
|-
|[[Xian MA60]]
|[[Xian MA60]]
Line 95: Line 137:
|
|
|-
|-

|[[Beechcraft 1900|Raytheon Beech 1900C]]
|align=center|1
|align=center|
|align=center|19
|
|-
!Total
!Total
!2
!1
!1
!1
!colspan="3"|
!colspan="3"|
|}
|}
</center>


===Previous fleet===
===Historical fleet===
At August 2006, the airline also operated:<ref>[[Flight International]], 3–9 October 2006</ref>
At August 2006, the airline also operated:<ref>[[Flight International]], 3–9 October 2006</ref>
* 1 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300]]
* 1 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300]]
Line 116: Line 152:
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{Portal|Aviation}}
*[[Transport in Burundi]]
*[[Transport in Burundi]]
*[[List of companies of Burundi]]
*[[Economy of Burundi]]
{{clear right}}
{{clear right}}


Line 123: Line 161:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Air Burundi}}
{{commons category|Air Burundi}}
* [http://www.flyairburundi.com Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20131021081431/http://www.flyairburundi.com/ Official website]
* [http://allafrica.com/stories/201109052421.html Air Burundi In The Middle of Restructuring]
* [http://allafrica.com/stories/201109052421.html Air Burundi In The Middle of Restructuring]
* [http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/african-carriers-order-six-ma60s-1208 Deliverly of Two New MA60 Aircraft Expected In 2012]
* [http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines-components/news/african-carriers-order-six-ma60s-1208 Deliverly of Two New MA60 Aircraft Expected In 2012]
{{Aviation lists}}
{{African Airlines Association}}
{{African Airlines Association}}
{{Airlines of Burundi}}
{{Airlines of Burundi}}


[[Category:Airlines established in 1971]]
[[Category:Airlines established in 1971]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2007]]
[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2009]]
[[Category:African Airlines Association]]
[[Category:History of Bujumbura]]
[[Category:Bujumbura]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Government-owned airlines]]
[[Category:Airlines of Burundi]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Burundi]]
[[Category:Burundian companies established in 1971]]
[[Category:Burundian companies established in 1971]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in Africa]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in Burundi]]

Latest revision as of 23:20, 18 September 2024

Air Burundi
IATA ICAO Call sign
8Y PBU AIR-BURUNDI
Founded1971
Ceased operations2009[1][2]
HubsBujumbura International Airport
Fleet size1
Destinations3 (All suspended)
HeadquartersBujumbura
Key peopleEmmanuel Habimana
Group Managing Director
Websitewww.burundiairlines.bi
Air Burundi Xian MA-60

Air Burundi was the state-owned national airline of Burundi, although in practice it has not been operational since 2009.

At its peak, the airline operated scheduled regional passenger services to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda with its main base at Bujumbura International Airport,[3] and headquarters in Bujumbura.[4][5]

History

[edit]

Early history

[edit]

The airline was established in April 1971, and started operations in 1975. It was formed as Société de Transports Aériens du Burundi, and adopted the present name in June 1975. The airline began operations a fleet of two Douglas DC-3s followed by two De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter and a Sud Caravelle III in 1980.[6] The 1996 Burundian Civil War put a lot of pressure on the airline, and transportation of all forms in the country was paralyzed. In 1999 the East African Community lifted sanctions on Burundi and the airline resumed operations from February 1, 1999.[7]

Troubled operations

[edit]
Air Burundi Sud SE-210 Caravelle III aircraft at Bujumbura International Airport in 2007

The airline continued to provide scheduled flights to nearby regional cities, however in spring of 2007, due to technical issues it temporarily suspended operations. In 2008, the airline was relaunched with a much smaller network, providing daily flights to Kigali and Entebbe.

In September 2009, an inability to secure adequate funding to overhaul its aircraft led to the airline's suspension of operations; the single aircraft in operation, a Beechcraft 1900, had reached the maximum flight hours before a major service was mandated. The aircraft was flown to South Africa to undergo regular maintenance operations, to cost at least $1m.

Press reports in September 2013 indicated that the airline will require $1.3 million to overhaul and return its Beechcraft 1900C into active service in support of the airline's sole functioning aircraft, an MA60.[8] Despite the arrival of the MA60, operations have not resumed. For a second MA60, due as part of a "Buy one, get one free" deal with China, the contract regarding the purchase of the aircraft (recorded as having been a "donation" from China to Burundi) had yet to be finalised, with no delivery date agreed to date.[8]

Revival

[edit]

In August 2011, East African media reported that Air Burundi had started a process of restructuring. Six international companies had already been pre-selected, through competitive bidding, to propose a restructuring process. Plans were apparently under way to either lease or acquire new aircraft to facilitate the resumption of flight operations.[9]

In January 2013 it was reported that the privatisation of Air Burundi had in part been delayed by the carrier's 90% shareholding in SOBUGEA (Société Burundaise de Gestion Aéroportuaire), the country's airport management company. Staff there argued that the Privatisation bill introduced by the government contained many irregularities, including reference to "Air-Burundi/Sobugea", a company that does not exist: "The first is a public company created in 1975, governed by Decree No. 100/160 of September 5, 1997, while the second was born in 1981 and governed by the laws of 12 March 2008."[10] Although privatisation had been discussed a while ago, it was argued that the two companies should be taken separately: "Each has its heritage and its status. Contrary to what is stated in the explanatory memorandum, any reform concerning Air Burundi does not include SOBUGEA."[10]

Corporate affairs

[edit]

Ownership

[edit]

Air Burundi, which had its head office in Bujumbura,[4][11] was wholly owned by the government of Burundi.[3]

Past suitors for Air Burundi were reported to have included the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) (who in turn own the Celestair Group that includes Air Uganda, Air Mali and Air Burkina Faso) and various Chinese investors; no proposal bore fruit however, and the view was that any potential investors in a privatised Air Burundi would be "wary of the lack of a robust, clear legal framework that specifically defines the company's activities and roles."[10]

[edit]

Financial and other business figures for Air Burundi were rarely published, even before operations were suspended; net profit figures have been reported as below:

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Net profit (FBu m) 291.1 −11.7 −346.5 −253.2 71.9 318.4 164.5 465.1 −162.7 −83.9
Notes/sources [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12] [12]

Destinations

[edit]

Until operations were suspended, Air Burundi operated scheduled international services to the following destinations:

Hub
Future
Terminated/Suspended
City Country IATA ICAO Airport Refs
Bujumbura  Burundi BJM HBBA Bujumbura International Airport [13]
Entebbe  Uganda EBB HUEN Entebbe International Airport
Kigali  Rwanda KGL HRYR Kigali International Airport

Fleet

[edit]

Fleet at closure

[edit]

The Air Burundi fleet consisted of the following aircraft (as of August 2019):[14]

The Air Burundi Caravelle, pictured in 1976
Air Burundi fleet
Aircraft In service Orders Passengers Notes
Xian MA60 1 1 52
Total 1 1

Historical fleet

[edit]

At August 2006, the airline also operated:[15]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Air Burundi airlinehistory.co.uk, accessdate 21 September 2020
  2. ^ Air Burundi centreforaviation.com, accessdate 21 September 2020
  3. ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 53.
  4. ^ a b World Airline Directory. Flight International. 31 March – 6 April 1999. "51.
  5. ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "- 0060.html 58."
  6. ^ "Air Burundi". Angelfire. Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved 2016-09-12.
  7. ^ Grauvogel, Julia (September 2014). "Regional Sanctions against Burundi: A Powerful Campaign and its Unintended Consequences" (PDF).
  8. ^ a b "Air Burundi to need $4mln to resume services". ch-aviation.ch. 2013-09-24.
  9. ^ "Burundi: Air Burundi to Restructure". East African Business Week (Kampala). 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2017-09-16.
  10. ^ a b c "BURUNDI: Lack of political, legal will sabotaging the privatization of Air Burundi, Civil aviation authority". The African Aviation Tribune website. 2013-01-12.
  11. ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. 16–22 March 2004. "58."
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Evolution des Resultats net de la Sobugea et l'Air Burundi (2006-2015)". iwacu-burundi.org/.
  13. ^ Destinations of Air Burundi
  14. ^ "Global Aircraft Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World (October 2019): 7.
  15. ^ Flight International, 3–9 October 2006
[edit]