Airlines

Discover the History and Milestones of the Comoros Islands Airline (CIA)





The Comoros Islands Airline, or CIA, has provided air travel to the Comoros Islands since its inception in 1974. The airline was founded as a result of the nation’s independence from France, and it was the first airline to be owned and operated by the Comoros Islands.

Before the formation of CIA, air travel to the islands was limited. The only options for air transportation were private charter services, which were expensive and unreliable. The goal of CIA was to provide an affordable and reliable air service to the Comoros Islands.

Since its inception, CIA has grown and evolved significantly. The airline originally operated two aircraft, a single-engine Cessna and a twin-engine Dornier. Over time, the airline has expanded its fleet to include larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A320, for international flights.

The airline has achieved several milestones since its inception. In 1984, CIA became the first African airline to offer scheduled flights to Europe, with its first flight taking off from the Comoros Islands to Paris, France. In 1989, the airline became the first African airline to receive the prestigious IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification. In 2000, CIA became the first African airline to be awarded the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Quality System Certification (QSC).





In 2008, CIA celebrated its 35th anniversary and was still the only airline operating in the Comoros. To celebrate, the airline launched a series of new initiatives, including a new customer loyalty program and the introduction of an online ticketing system.

Unfortunately, the airline has been involved in several incidents and accidents over the years. In 2005, a CIA flight from the Comoros to Tanzania crashed, killing all 103 passengers and crew aboard. An investigation by the Comoros Civil Aviation Authority concluded that the crash was caused by pilot error. In 2019, CIA was the subject of a federal investigation by the United States Department of Transportation, after the airline failed to comply with safety and security regulations.

Since its inception, CIA has grown and evolved significantly. While the airline has faced some setbacks, it has managed to remain the only airline serving the Comoros Islands and has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first African airline to offer scheduled flights to Europe and to receive the IATA Operational Safety Audit certification. The airline continues to strive to provide an affordable and reliable air service to the Comoros Islands.