Air Ivoire

Air Ivoire was an Ivorian airline that served as the country's flag carrier from its establishment in 1960 until its dissolution following bankruptcy in 2011. Based in Abidjan, the airline operated scheduled passenger services from Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport, its principal hub, and connected Côte d'Ivoire with destinations elsewhere in Africa. The company was incorporated on 14 December 1960, shortly after Côte d'Ivoire became independent, although it did not begin operating flights until August 1964. In its early ownership structure, Sodetraf, UTA and Air Afrique held interests in the airline. The Ivorian government acquired and nationalized the company in January 1976, strengthening its role as a state-backed national carrier. Air Ivoire encountered severe financial problems during the 1990s and suspended operations in September 1999. It subsequently entered a private ownership and restructuring phase associated with AAA, a group described in the available reference material as being owned by Air France and AIG. The airline resumed service in 2001 under the name Nouvelle Air Ivoire before later returning to the Air Ivoire name. The company later moved between private and government control. After a government repurchase, Air Ivoire again came under state control. On 15 October 2008, Groupe Atlantique acquired a 51 percent shareholding, while the Ivorian government retained the remaining 49 percent. The airline also carried out a fleet modernization program in the second half of 2009, replacing its Fokker F28 aircraft with three Boeing 737s intended to form the core of its regional network. Aircraft were maintained according to Ivorian and European operational standards cited in the reference material. Before its final collapse, Air Ivoire operated a small fleet serving 14 African destinations. The airline's final operational form is described as having five aircraft. Fleet information associated with August 2012 lists one Airbus A321 and four Boeing 737-500s, although the company had already been dissolved in 2011, so that later fleet date should not be interpreted as evidence of continuing commercial operations. Air Ivoire ultimately entered bankruptcy and ceased to exist as an operating airline in 2011. It was replaced by Air Côte d'Ivoire, a separate successor carrier established to restore national airline services in Côte d'Ivoire.

Air Ivoire was created on 14 December 1960 as Côte d'Ivoire's national airline, although its first flights did not begin until August 1964. The airline was headquartered in Abidjan and developed around the country's need for a national air transport network following independence. Its early ownership included Sodetraf, UTA and Air Afrique, reflecting the participation of established French and African aviation interests in the development of the carrier. In January 1976, the government of Côte d'Ivoire acquired the private and institutional interests in the airline and nationalized it. Under state ownership, Air Ivoire continued to function as the country's flag carrier and operated passenger services linking Abidjan with destinations in Africa. Its principal hub was Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. The carrier suffered major financial difficulties during the 1990s. These problems led to a suspension of operations in September 1999. Air Ivoire later underwent restructuring and acquisition by AAA, described in the available source as a company owned by Air France and AIG. When service resumed in 2001, the airline operated under the name Nouvelle Air Ivoire. It subsequently reverted to the Air Ivoire name. Ownership changed again as the company moved between private participation and government control. Reference material indicates that the Ivorian government repurchased the airline before it was later recapitalized or reorganized through a majority investment by Groupe Atlantique. On 15 October 2008, Groupe Atlantique acquired 51 percent of Air Ivoire, with the government retaining 49 percent. Air Ivoire pursued a fleet renewal program during the second half of 2009. The modernization replaced Fokker F28 aircraft with three Boeing 737 aircraft, which became the backbone of the carrier's regional network. The airline stated or was described as maintaining its aircraft under Ivorian and European standards, including EU-OPS requirements. At its final operating stage, Air Ivoire had five aircraft serving 14 destinations across Africa. A fleet listing dated August 2012 identifies one Airbus A321 and four Boeing 737-500s, but this date falls after the airline's reported 2011 dissolution and may represent a retrospective fleet record rather than active operations. Air Ivoire eventually became insolvent and was dissolved in 2011. Its end marked the termination of the country's previous national-carrier structure. Air Côte d'Ivoire emerged as its successor national airline, although the successor was a separate corporate entity rather than a continuation of Air Ivoire's operating company.

• 2011

  Dissolution after bankruptcy

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  Air Ivoire ceased operations and was dissolved after entering bankruptcy. Air Côte d'Ivoire replaced it as the national carrier.

• 2009

  Fleet modernization

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  The carrier replaced Fokker F28 aircraft with Boeing 737s during a modernization program completed in the second half of 2009.

• 2008

  Groupe Atlantique takes majority stake

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  Groupe Atlantique acquired 51 percent of the airline on 15 October 2008, leaving the government with a 49 percent share.

• 2001

  Operations resume as Nouvelle Air Ivoire

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  The airline resumed service after restructuring and operated under the Nouvelle Air Ivoire name.

• 1999

  Operations suspended

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  Air Ivoire suspended operations in September 1999 because of financial difficulties.

• 1976

  Nationalization

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  The Ivorian government acquired and nationalized Air Ivoire in January 1976.

• 1964

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operating flights in August 1964.

• 1960

  Air Ivoire established

  [1]Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org

  Air Ivoire was established on 14 December 1960 as Côte d'Ivoire's national airline.

Former Côte d'Ivoire flag carrier and state-linked regional passenger airline.

• Passenger airline services · 1964

  Scheduled passenger services

  Scheduled passenger air transport was Air Ivoire's principal offering. The airline operated from Abidjan and served a network of African destinations, functioning as Côte d'Ivoire's flag carrier until its operations ended in 2011.

• Regional air transportation

  Regional African network

  Air Ivoire's network focused on regional connections within Africa. At its final stage, the airline is described as serving 14 destinations with a five-aircraft fleet, centered on Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

• Aircraft fleet · 2009

  Boeing 737 regional fleet

  As part of its 2009 fleet renewal, Air Ivoire replaced Fokker F28 aircraft with three Boeing 737s. These aircraft formed the backbone of its regional operations. A later fleet listing also records four Boeing 737-500s and one Airbus A321, though the listing postdates the reported dissolution of the airline.

• 2011

  Dissolution after bankruptcyOther

  Background

  Air Ivoire's long-running financial problems culminated in bankruptcy.

  Action taken

  The airline ceased commercial operations and was dissolved.

  Aftermath

  Air Côte d'Ivoire replaced Air Ivoire as Côte d'Ivoire's national airline.

  Source

• 2009

  Replacement of Fokker F28 aircraftGeneration change

  Background

  Air Ivoire sought to update the aircraft supporting its regional network.

  Action taken

  During the second half of 2009, the airline replaced its Fokker F28 aircraft with three Boeing 737s.

  Aftermath

  The Boeing 737s became the backbone of the airline's regional network, although the carrier later ceased operations and was dissolved.

  Source

• 2008

  Groupe Atlantique majority investmentM&A

  Background

  Air Ivoire had moved between government and private control after its operational restart and a reported government repurchase.

  Action taken

  Groupe Atlantique acquired a 51 percent shareholding on 15 October 2008, while Côte d'Ivoire retained 49 percent.

  Aftermath

  The ownership arrangement preceded a fleet modernization effort, but did not prevent the airline's eventual bankruptcy and dissolution.

  Source

• 2001

  Restart under the Nouvelle Air Ivoire nameStrategy

  Background

  Air Ivoire had suspended operations in 1999 because of financial problems and was subsequently acquired by AAA.

  Action taken

  The restructured airline resumed service in 2001 as Nouvelle Air Ivoire.

  Aftermath

  The airline later returned to the Air Ivoire name, but continued to face ownership and financial challenges.

  Source

• 1976

  Nationalization of Air IvoireStrategy

  Background

  The airline had previously included Sodetraf, UTA and Air Afrique among its investors. In January 1976, the Ivorian government acquired the company and brought it under state ownership.

  Action taken

  The government nationalized Air Ivoire and continued operating it as the country's flag carrier.

  Aftermath

  The move reinforced Air Ivoire's role as a state-backed national airline, although later financial difficulties led to suspension and further ownership changes.

  Source

1. 1Air Ivoireen.wikipedia.org