Airlines

Uncovering the Long-Standing Legacy of Comores Air Services: A Look at the History of the Comoros Islands' Only Airline





Comores Air Services is a regional airline based in the Comores Islands, an archipelago located off the east coast of Africa. Founded in 1978, the airline is the longest-running airline in the Comoros, and is the country’s only provider of scheduled air transportation. The airline has grown from a single-engine aircraft to a fleet of over 20 aircraft, and provides regular service to destinations throughout the Comoros and the Indian Ocean region.

The history of Comores Air Services dates back to 1978, when the government of the Comoros Islands established the airline. The original fleet consisted of one single-engine Cessna 402 aircraft, which was used to provide domestic service between the three main islands. Over the next decade, the airline was able to expand its fleet and service, and by the mid-1980s, Comores Air Services was providing international service to destinations in the Indian Ocean region, including Mayotte and Madagascar.

In the early 1990s, the airline underwent a period of growth, expanding its fleet and service network. During this time, the airline acquired several larger aircraft, including two Boeing 727s, two Fokker F27s, and two ATR 42s. The airline also expanded its international service to include destinations in Europe, including Paris and Marseille.

In 2001, the airline suffered a major setback when one of its Boeing 727s crashed into the sea near the Comoros Islands, killing all 143 people on board. The crash was the result of a mechanical failure, and the investigation revealed that the airline had failed to maintain the aircraft properly. After the crash, the Comoros government took over the airline’s operations and began an extensive overhaul of the airline’s safety and maintenance procedures.





In recent years, Comores Air Services has experienced a period of growth and expansion. In 2018, the airline launched its first long-haul service, a flight from Comoros to Paris. The airline also expanded its fleet, adding two ATR 72s and an Airbus A319. In 2019, the airline began a major expansion of its domestic network, adding flights to several new destinations in the Comoros.

Today, Comores Air Services is one of the leading airlines in the Comoros, and serves destinations throughout Africa, Europe, and the Indian Ocean region. The airline operates a fleet of over 20 aircraft, including Airbus and ATR aircraft, and has developed a reputation for providing safe and reliable air transportation. The airline continues to grow, and is well positioned to continue to expand its operations in the future.