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The ten safest African airlines
Airlines based in Africa have a bad reputation. When the European Union published a blacklist of airlines banned from flying in the EU, it included 111 carriers from 13 African countries. Carriers got on the list for having out-of-date planes (often Soviet-era "flying coffins"), poor government oversight in their own country, and not fixing problems pointed out by EU inspectors. You can read more about the criteria and the list here. Airlines from other countries got on the list too, including a large number from Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines, but the preponderance of Africa-based carriers was noticeable.
In response, Flight Africa blog has published a list of the ten safest African airlines based on "attainment of IOSA Certification, number of accidents per flight and fatalities per passenger kilometres." That last phrase actually made me wince. Here's the list:
1. South African Airways
2. Ethiopian Airlines
3. Air Botswana
4. Air Mauritius
5. Air Seychelles
6. Kenya Airways
7. TunisAir
8. Royal Air Maroc
9. Nigerian Eagle Airlines
10. Air Zimbabwe
This is an encouraging list because it includes carriers from every region of Africa and some of the most popular tourist destinations. One common mantra of adventure travelers is that they're helping the local economy with the money they spend. This list proves they can start helping before their adventure even starts.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
alexandro Dec 26th 2011 12:56PM
best airlines in africa content is south africa airways and Ethiopian airways
Feraw Feb 28th 2012 9:50AM
Ethiopian airlines is the best nat only in africa in da world, wow betam des yelal
Peter Mar 28th 2012 6:34AM
Truely the pride of africa, keep it up Kenya airways.
Bbosa Apr 17th 2012 11:40AM
I love Air Uganda. Where is it? Well soon it will be among the top 10 best in Africa. Congs Ethiopian air lines.
Lindela Apr 18th 2012 3:57PM
Zimbabwe airways keep up good work.
ntombifuthi Jun 4th 2012 9:23AM
Congrats Air Zim. Its has never had an accident in its entire history. With a well mantained aging fleet, I totally salute its engineers, pilots, airzim staff and the entire zim population that has stood by its national carrier through thick and thin.
kirubel Jul 17th 2012 12:37PM
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINE IS THE BEST AIRLINE OF AFRICA AND SHOULD MOVE ON ITS COMPETITION AT THE WORLD LEVEL!!!
Teddy Jul 20th 2012 3:11AM
Proud of you Ethiopian Pilots, and Ethiopian airlines they deserve it!!!
Ramuhulu M Aug 21st 2012 7:27AM
SAA we are the best airline in africa for 10years in a row(sky trax)
Hillario haji Sep 10th 2012 12:37PM
I've flown with SA airlines,Ethiopian and Kenyan & i find Kenya Airways is the best,especially at the side of service and entertainment,u get 2 play video games using consoles..just imagine!! I just found myself reaching London within no time.
bereket Sep 22nd 2012 2:14AM
iam proud to be Ethiopian
sola Sep 28th 2012 5:16PM
Can u image Nigeria Eagle Air (Now Air Nigeria) is the only Airline in Nigeria that meet up among first ten safest African Airline. Kudos
Dani Nov 10th 2012 10:29AM
Ethiopian airlines is best in Africa
Good job proud of Africa
Eyu Dec 22nd 2012 6:38PM
Ethiopian airline is doing great! keep the good name and service
Endale Dec 22nd 2012 6:39PM
I agree Ethiopian airline is doing great! keep the good name and service. Ofcourse I traveled with it several times, and i found it best
Jack Jan 7th 2013 1:09PM
Wooow, I guess there are plenty ethiopian airlines community managers hanging around here. I never tried them yet but I took many flights with Air Botswana and I was very satisfied
belete sinkeh Feb 9th 2013 9:57AM
ethiopian air lines for me the best air lines in africa &confortbel too
Johnson Apr 27th 2013 11:31AM
This list is confusing since South African Airways is ranked as the ninth unsafe airline in the world by Yahoo news. I flew most of them, and to me ETHIOPIAN ranks first. And, maybe one of the best airlines in the world!