ASKY Press Release

The shareholders of the Regional Airline Promotion Company (SPCAR) held their General Meeting devoted to the establishment of the new Regional Airline, on 17 January 2008 at AZALAI INDEPENDENCE Hotel, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.  The name of this international private Airline is “ASKY”. 

At this same General meeting, the shareholders appointed new Directors for the Airline.  Immediately after their appointment, the new Directors held the first meeting of their Board of Directors and elected their Chairman.

The Chairman of the new Airline, Mr. Gervais K. DJONDO, expressed delight at the emergence of this Airline which is the fulfillment of the determination expressed several times by the Heads of State and Government and the people of the sub-region to have Africa endowed with a common privately owned air transport tool.  He pointed out that this would thus become a privileged tool to foster African integration.

ASKY is an initiative that would bring Africa together.  The Chairman called on all Africans to support it whole-heartedly, he enjoined everyone to support every federating initiative that contributes to the development of Africa.  Hence, he expressed delight over the agreement reached in Libreville to resolve the differences among the member States of ASECNA, the community instrument whose importance to the safety of air transport in Africa cannot be overemphasized.

An important phase has just been concluded.  With the execution of all operational tasks, the activities of the Airline would henceforth enter concrete phases.  The corporate governance organs and the operational structures would have to be put in place as soon as possible; as well as staff recruitment, mobilization of capital, etc…

With the implementation of all these tasks, the new Airline should be able to start operating its first commercial flights before the end of the first half of 2008.  It is envisaging to gradually be able to operate daily flights to all sub-saharan countries.  Thus, from Dakar to Addis Ababa, through Karthoum, from Abuja to Windhoek, Johannesburg, Nairobi or Harare, the new Airline would be present to boost the movement of people: businessmen; students; youths; workers; tourists; etc. their properties, goods and cargo not only across the continent but also to other parts of the world.

To achieve this, ASKY would rely on an autonomous decentralized structural design organized around distinct networks and specializations: (intercontinental network, intra-Africa network, regional network, cargo, tourism, maintenance, etc…).

The Chairman underscored the private nature of the Airline.  The Airline is endowed with a capital of USD 120 million, of which 80% is shared among private investors while 20% would be held by public financial institutions whose mission is to support privately owned development institutions.

Such a financial structure would enable the Airline achieve its objectives with regard to quality of its services, comfort to its passengers but also safety and security of its operations.

The Chairman further stated that negotiations with a technical partner had reached very advanced stage.  The outcome of these negotiations would provide the Airline with the operational support it would require for its operations.

The Chairman commended the merit in all national airlines, namely: Air Senegal International; Nouvelle Air Ivoire; Air Burkina; Ghana International; Bellview Airlines, etc…that have strived in diverse manners to fill the vacuum created following the demise of the most important airlines of the sub region among which the multinational airline Air Afrique and which have, through their endeavours enabled men and women from our countries to be able to travel.

He added that ASKY intended to draw from their experience and their support so that together and with joint effort, it would be possible to strengthen and improve upon connections to our States as well as boost intra-African air transport in the interest of the people.

The Chairman expressed satisfaction over the election of Air Burkina to chair the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), and in this regard, it would have to host the 40th Annual General meeting of AFRAA.  He warmly congratulated the Chief Executive Officer of the Airline and its Management and assured them of his support.

Finally, the Chairman of ASKY sincerely thanked the continental regional Institutions, notably, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), representatives of the private sector, notably the ECOBANK Group, public Authorities and all African well-wishers whose support, commitment and determination have led to the materialization of this dream so dear to the heart of Africans.

At the beginning of this New Year, the Chairman availed himself of the opportunity to present his best wishes to all member countries of the African Union, to the African and the international media.

Done at Ouagadougou, this 17th day of January 2008

The Chairman