Airlines proliferated in Africa because, in many countries, road and rail networks are not well developed due to financial issues, terrain, and rainy seasons. Ben R. Guttery, author of Encyclopedia of African Airlines.
Although most of the carriers have never been large by European or American standards, they have had a tremendous impact on the economy and the people.”
Many larger African airlines are owned partially or completely by national governments. Some African airlines have European airlines as major shareholders. For instance, KLM has a 26% stake in Kenya Airways and British Airways has an 18% stake in Comair.
At the Just Concluded World Travel Awards 2017, held in Kigali, Rwanda different African airlines were acknowledged and rewarded for their pivotal role in opening up the continent to the world.
World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.
These were the top airlines.
- Ethiopian Airline
Ethiopian Airline is one of the most profitable airlines on the continent. Founded 71 years ago it has continued to bag one award after another.
Recently named The African leading Airlines-economy class winner for the fifth year in a row during the World Travel awards 2017. It was also voted Africa’s leading brand from its hub at Bole international airport in Addis Ababa, The airline which serves a network of 113 passenger destinations remains one of the success stories in African Aviation industry.
2. Kenya Airways
The national carrier of Kenya is one of the biggest and most popular airlines on the continent. Founded in 1977, after the dissolution of East African Airways the airline has grown to become the pride of Africa.
It was voted Africa’s leading airline and Africa’s leading airline for Business Class during the World Travel Awards 2017.From its hub at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the airline connects to over 62 destinations. It has a fleet of 34 states of the art aircrafts.
3. Royal Air Marco
The national carrier of Morocco was founded in 1947 and commenced scheduled operations in 1949. From its hub at Mohammed V International Airport, the airline connects to over 90 destinations, of which 56 are international.
The airline also know as RAM is fully owned by the government of Morocco and has its headquarters on the grounds of Casablanca-Anfa Airport. From its base at Mohammed V International Airport,[3] the carrier operates a domestic network in Morocco, scheduled international flights to Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The airline has a fleet of more than 50 aircrafts. It is one of Africa’s high flying airlines.
4. Egypt Air
This is the national carrier of Egypt. 100% Owned by the Government of Egypt. It is based in Cairo and operates scheduled passenger and freight services to more than 73 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa. Asia and the Americas.
There are three carriers, which operate under the same AOC but are managed separately and have their own profit and loss accounts: EgyptAir Airlines, the core airline company, EgyptAir Cargo, a dedicated cargo airline, EgyptAir Express, the domestic and regional airline
5. RwandAir
The flag carrier of Rwanda since it began its operations in December 2002, has slowly grown to become one of the most respected airlines in Africa.
Ranked the 6th best regional airlines in Africa in 2015 by Skytrax and continues to bag awards after awards. This Airline has flown to over 22 destinations both local and International
RwandaAir is one of the fastest growing airlines and operates one of the youngest and state of the art fleet on the African continent which comprises of four Boeing 737-800NG and Boeing 737-700NG to mention but just a few.
6. Tunisair
Tunisair first commences operations on 1 April 1949. Based at Tunis, Carthage International Airport and has a fleet of 22 aircrafts and serves 101 destinations in Europe, Africa, America and the Middle East.
7. South African Airways
South African Airways flies to over 35 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and North and South Africa.
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South African Airways was founded in 1934 after the acquisition of Union Airways by the South African government. The airline is known to be the busiest in the continent was initially overseen and controlled by South African Railways and Harbours Administration.
With reports from BI
