NEWS & POLITICS
Burkina Faso revives Air Burkina with $50 million investment to reclaim national aviation pride
After nearly two decades on the ground, Burkina Faso has officially relaunched its national carrier, Air Burkina, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to revive its aviation industry and strengthen regional connectivity.
Staff Writer 
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – The October relaunch, announced by the government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, follows a $50 million investment aimed at restoring the airline’s operations and expanding its fleet. As part of the initiative, the Junta has acquired a 98-seater Embraer 190 jet, the second aircraft purchased since September 2024, signaling a determined push to rebuild the once-thriving national carrier that was grounded in 2005 due to operational and financial setbacks.
Air Burkina’s revival is expected to reconnect Ouagadougou with major West African cities such as Bamako and Accra, strengthening both domestic and regional air links.
Since assuming power, Captain Traoré has launched several infrastructure and economic development projects designed to jumpstart Burkina Faso’s economy, which the World Bank estimates has grown from $18 billion to $23.25 billion in recent years.
Aviation analysts say the airline’s comeback will boost trade, tourism, and business travel, creating new jobs within the aviation and service sectors and stimulating broader economic growth.
Founded in 1967, Air Burkina has long been a symbol of national identity but faced years of turbulence due to financial instability and aging aircraft. The new Embraer 190, delivered on October 30, is expected to improve safety, efficiency, and passenger comfort, restoring public confidence in the national carrier.
At the handover ceremony, Minister of State for Territorial Administration and Mobility, Émile Zerbo, urged citizens to rally behind the airline’s resurgence: “Air Burkina’s return should proudly carry the colors of Burkina Faso in the African skies,” he said.
With renewed government backing and modern aircraft, Air Burkina’s relaunch marks a bold step in Burkina Faso’s aviation renaissance, setting the stage for a new era of connectivity and national pride.
