Ismail Abdillahi

AIR DJIBOUTI

Air Djibouti is the national flag carrier of the Republic of Djibouti. Est. 1963, it was founded by Air France and operated until 2002 when it ceased operations. Following the success of the logistics industry in Djibouti and the rapid economic growth of Africa, the carrier was revived by the government under the umbrella of Djibouti Ports & Free Zone Authority. In 2013, a feasibility study was conducted by Lufthansa Consulting followed by the authority appointing Cardiff Aviation of the UK to manage the start up phase and as a result, cargo services were launched in August 2015 serving four regional destinations. Passenger service was launched in 2016 with launch routes, Hargeisa, Mogadisho, Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Phase two routes included Aden and Jeddah. The airline plans to limit its network to a maximum of 15 destinations until 2023 when the construction of a brand new airport is expected to completed. Lufthansa Consulting conducted a feasibility study for two airports to replace the current mixed use (civil and military) and one for tourism traffic in Ras Siyyan in the north part of the country which is being been developed as a resort town. Air Djibouti has secured two aircraft for its launch in a form of a boing 767-200ER, Boeing 737-400. With a European standard operation provided by Cardiff Aviation, it plans to offer a high standard service and a direct connection to key towns and cities making it convenient for both leisure and business travellers in and out of Djibouti.