Aviation Services

The principal aim of the Aviation Services is to help improve aviation infrastructure in the developing world.

Aviation is one of the five sectors of economic activity covered by the Aga Khan Network for Economic Development. The principal aim of the Aviation Services is to help improve aviation infrastructure in the developing world. This effort is part of the broader strategy to foster economic and social development.

The Aviation Services provide investment, management, operational expertise and training in Africa’s expanding aviation sector. In 2001, AKFED acquired a majority stake in Burkina Faso’s carrier, Air Burkina, which operates out of its hub in the country’s capital, Ouagadougou. Four years later, AKFED took a majority stake in Compagnie Aérienne du Mali - another major investment in West Africa. In East Africa, Air Uganda launched its regional flights in November of 2007 out of Entebbe International Airport near Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

In 2007, AKFED bought nine 100-seater MD-87s and completely refurbished the aircraft as part of the effort to re-fleet its African airlines. Furthermore, an Airbus A-319 is operated by the West African network, linking Abidjan, Bamako and Ouagadougou with Paris, France.

To offer customers a comprehensive product and network, the various airlines of AKFED operate under the “Group Celestair” alliance.

AKFED is also competing in a number of tenders for airport management contracts at different locations in East and West Africa, as well as in Central Asia, in order to provide quality ground services to travellers.