10 African Countries With a Useless National Airline

Air travel has become a vital part of modern development connecting people, boosting trade, and supporting tourism. In Africa, several countries have made great strides in aviation. 

Airlines like Ethiopian Airlines and RwandAir have become household names across the continent and beyond. However, not every African nation is flying that high. Some countries have no functioning national airline at all.

For various reasons, ranging from economic difficulties and political instability to mismanagement, certain African nations have either shut down their state-owned airlines or failed to get them off the ground altogether. 

This gap in aviation limits not only the movement of citizens but also affects broader economic opportunities tied to transport, tourism, and investment. Here’s a look at the African countries that currently do not have a working national airline.

Nigeria

Once home to Nigeria Airways, the country’s aviation dreams have struggled to take flight since the airline was liquidated in 2003. Attempts to revive a national carrier most recently with the controversial Nigerian Air project have faced setbacks, including funding issues and allegations of mismanagement. For now, Nigerians depend on private and international carriers for air travel.

Ghana

Ghana’s skies have been quiet since Ghana International Airlines collapsed in 2010. Efforts to bring back a national airline, this time in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines have not progressed beyond planning stages. Ghana continues to rely on foreign operators while hopes for a new flag carrier remain on hold.

Central African Republic

Ongoing political instability and underdeveloped infrastructure have grounded the Central African Republic’s aviation ambitions. With no national airline in operation, the country depends on occasional services from foreign carriers to stay connected to the outside world.

Togo

Air Togo shut down in 2000, and since then, the country has not revived its national carrier. While Lomé serves as a hub for ASKY Airlines, a private airline with regional reach, Togo itself lacks a state-owned airline flying its flag.

Niger

Niger’s aviation sector has remained stagnant since Air Niger folded in the 1990s. Although the country operates a major international airport in Niamey, it relies entirely on foreign airlines for air connectivity.

Somalia

Years of conflict have left Somalia’s aviation sector in disarray. Somali Airlines, once the country’s pride, stopped flying in 1991. Although there have been several attempts to revive the airline, none have succeeded in restoring full, consistent operations.

Lesotho

This small, mountainous country hasn’t had a national airline since Lesotho Airways ceased operations in the 1990s. Today, most of Lesotho’s air travel goes through neighboring South Africa, with no plans yet for a national comeback.

Guinea-Bissau

Like several others on this list, Guinea-Bissau lost its national airline to a mix of financial troubles and political instability. Without a functioning carrier, the country is served by a handful of foreign airlines that offer limited routes.

South Sudan

Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has been unable to establish a reliable national airline. Various proposals have emerged over the years, but none have taken off in a sustainable or consistent manner.

Chad

Chad’s national carrier, Toumaï Air Chad, suspended operations in the early 2010s. Since then, the country has struggled to restore its aviation presence. As of now, there is no official flag carrier operating in Chad.