Air Djibouti to launch both cargo and passenger operations in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Formed earlier this year by the Djibouti government will new national airline Air Djibouti commence operations later this year. Information is emerging that the airline may first launch cargo flights as early as Q3 this year before embarking on passenger flights in the first half of 2016.

It is understood that Air Djibouti has contracted an aviation consulting and logistics partner to assist them in the setting up of operations. Part of the deal, or so it is understood, will include getting the airline to operation status, including the sourcing of aircraft which will meet the requirements of the EU and operate with standards aligned to EASA requirement to avoid any problems over landing rights in key EU airports.

Main traffic focus will be Eastern Africa, the Gulf, India and beyond into Asia where connectivity at present is limited to private airlines.
As reported here before is the government of Djibouti presently constructing two major new airports which will provide the infrastructure backbone for cargo and passenger operations in the future, allowing for rapid expansion of the new national airline in terms of fleet, destinations and flight frequencies.

For breaking and regular aviation news from the wider Eastern African region look no further but watch this space.