Air Ivoire

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Air Ivoire was an airline headquartered in the Immueble EECI in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.<ref>"[1] Template:Webarchive." Air Ivoire. Retrieved on 8 October 2009. " Siège: Place de la république Immeuble EECI 01 BP 7782 Abidjan 01"</ref> It was the national airline and operated scheduled regional and intercontinental services. Its main base was Port Bouet Airport, Abidjan.<ref name="FI">Flight International 27 March 2007</ref> The airline ceased operations in 2011, and its role as flag carrier was transferred over to Air Côte d'Ivoire, which launched in 2012.<ref>"[2]." Air Ivoire. Retrieved on 3 September 2012. " Air Ivoire ceased operations."</ref>

HistoryEdit

The airline was established on 14 December 1960 and started operations in August 1964. Sodetraf, UTA and Air Afrique held an interest in the airline until January 1976, when the government of Ivory Coast acquired all of the shares. Initially known as Air Ivoire, the airline suspended operations in September 1999 due to financial difficulties. After being acquired by AAA, owned 51% by Air France and AIG, the company changed its name to Nouvelle Air Ivoire and resumed operations in 2001. The airline had since reverted to its original title.<ref name="FI"/>

According to the company website, after an increase in the airline's company, and a repurchase by the government, Air Ivoire reverted to government control. On 15 October 2008, the private Groupe Atlantique took a 51% shareholding, with the Government of Ivory Coast retaining 49%.

Air Ivoire finalized a substantial fleet modernization process in the second half of 2009, whereby its Fokker F28 were replaced by three Boeing 737s forming the backbone of its regional network. All aircraft were maintained as per Ivorian and European standards (EU-OPS).