Djibouti Air is an airline based in Djibouti, a small country in the Horn of Africa. Founded in 1977 as Air Djibouti, the airline has grown to become a key player in the aviation industry in the region. Djibouti Air operates both scheduled and charter services to destinations within the region and beyond.

The airline was founded by Ali Abdi Farah, a Djiboutian entrepreneur. He had a vision of connecting his country to the rest of the world, and Air Djibouti was the first airline to do so. Initially, the airline operated a single aircraft, an ex-Air France Boeing 707. This was used for charter services to destinations such as South Africa, Europe, and India.

The airline grew rapidly over the next decade, and in 1987, Air Djibouti merged with another local airline, Air Afrique. This merger greatly expanded the airline’s fleet and route network. By this time, the airline had a fleet of over 10 aircraft and was operating services to over 20 destinations.

In 1997, Air Djibouti rebranded as Djibouti Air. This was done to reflect the airline’s modern direction and commitment to providing quality services. The same year, the airline acquired its first Boeing 737-200 aircraft. This was a significant milestone for the airline, as it marked the beginning of a new era in its history.

The airline continued to grow over the next few years, and in 2003, it acquired its first Airbus A320 aircraft. This aircraft type allowed the airline to expand its operations to new destinations, such as the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In 2007, Djibouti Air became the first African airline to join the SkyTeam alliance. This was a major milestone for the airline, as it opened up new opportunities for the airline to expand its route network.

In 2014, the airline experienced one of its most significant incidents when one of its aircraft, an Airbus A310, crashed in Djibouti. Fortunately, there were no casualties in the incident. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the airline is still under investigation for the incident.

Today, Djibouti Air operates a fleet of over 25 aircraft, including the Airbus A320, Airbus A310, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 767-300. The airline continues to serve destinations in the region, as well as other parts of the world.

Overall, Djibouti Air has come a long way since its founding in 1977. It has grown from a single aircraft operator to a major player in the African aviation industry. The airline has been through both successes and challenges, but it has persevered and continues to serve its customers with quality services.