Airlines of Africa
Soon becoming the fastest growing commercial aviation market in the world, Africa is home to over 200 airlines with the oldest dating nearly 100 years. We hope to one day capture the largest from each of Africa’s 54 countries.
Ethiopian Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines was founded in 1945 with scheduled international routes in 1951, Ethiopian became the world’s fourth largest airline by countries served in 2019 (and serves more African destinations than any other). The company has also certainly met its financial goals, designated as Africa's most profitable airline many times and among the most profitable airlines in the world. Ethiopian’s livery includes a tri-colour emblem on the tail composed of the country's colours of green, yellow, and red. Ethiopian also flies one of the most modern fleets of any African carrier, as seen with this A350.
Above is an Airbus A350-900 (ET-AYM) named “Ethiopia” arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Bole Addis Ababa International Airport (ADD)
Royal Air Maroc
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) was founded in 1953 following the merger of Air Atlas (founded in 1946) and Air Maroc (founded in 1947), two competing Moroccan airlines. In 1957, the company became nationalized and adopted the name Royal Air Maroc. Of note, RAM took delivery of its first Boeing aircraft, a 727, in 1970 and today operates almost exclusively Boeing aircraft. In 2023, RAM announced major expansion plans for the decade, including the doubling of its fleet (~50 currently) with long term plans for a fleet of 200 aircraft, as the company positions itself as a leading African airline.
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (CN-RHB) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)
Egypt Air
Egypt Air was established in 1932 as Misr Airlines to serve as the carrier for Egypt and has gone through many name changes. In 1949, when the Egyptian State became the sole shareholder of the company, Misr became Misrair; in 1958, upon the formation of the United Arab Republic (roughly modern Egypt and Syria), Misrair was renamed United Arab Airlines (UAA); and finally, in 1971, as the country again changed its name to the Arab Republic of Egypt, UAA was rebranded as EgyptAir. Note the falcon located on the tail, based on Horus, the Egyptian “winged god of the sun."
Above is a Boeing 787-9 (SU-GES) arriving at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) from Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Air Algerie
Air Algérie was founded in 1947 as the Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens (CGTA) operating charter flights out of Algeria. By the 1950s, it flew scheduled flights to multiple destinations in Europe, and in 1953, CGTA merged with Compagnie Air Transport (CAT), a small French airline looking for a partner airline, forming the Compagnie Générale de Transports Aériens Air Algérie. When Algeria became independent in 1962, the newly formed government took a majority stake in the company as it became Algeria’s official flag carrier.
Above is an Airbus A330-200 (7T-AJC) arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) from Algiers International Airport Houari Boumediene (ALG)