Bluebird Aviation
Bluebird Aviation is a regional airline based in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in 1999 and operates regional charter services. Its main base is Wilson Airport, Nairobi.[1]
| |||||||
| Founded | 1992 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubs | Wilson Airport | ||||||
| Focus cities | Kenya | ||||||
| Fleet size | 11 | ||||||
| Parent company | Bluebird Aviation | ||||||
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Kenya | ||||||
| Website | bluebirdaviation.com | ||||||
Description
Bluebird Aviation Limited is a Kenyan air charter company based at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. The company was incorporated in 1999 and operates scheduled, non-scheduled and adhoc air charter services within the East and Central African region with special emphasis on Eastern Africa. The company is a member of the Kenya Association of Air Operators, an umbrella body that champions the interests of aviation in Kenya.
Staff
The company has over 80 staff ranging from airline pilots, aircraft engineers, and finance managers to ground and air operations staff.
Fleet
The Bluebird Aviation fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of August 2019):[2]
| Aircraft | In Service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bombardier Dash 8-100 | 4 | — | ||
| Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 | 1 | — | ||
| Bombardier Dash 8-Q400PF | 4 | — | ||
| Fokker 50 | 2 | — | ||
| Total | 11 | |||
The Bluebird Aviation fleet previously included the following aircraft (as of July 2011):[3]
Accidents and incidents
- 23 May 2004: Two Bluebird Aviation Let L-410 Turbolet planes hit each other inflight. One of the planes crashed into the ground, killing both crew members (the only people on board), while another landed safely.[4]
- 14 July 2020: A Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (5Y-VVU) was flying from Djibouti to Beletwein, when a donkey crossed the runway as the aircraft was landing in Beledweyne Airport, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. The plane then caught on fire after the crash. All 3 crew members onboard survived the crash.[5]
References
- "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 86.
- "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World (October 2019): 18.
- Günter Endres, ed. (2011). Flight International World Airlines 2011. Sutton, Surrey, England: Reed Business Information. ISBN 978-1-898779-43-8.
- aviation-safety.net: Accident description
- "Bluebird Aviation Dash 8 Catches Fire Following Somalia Crash". Simple Flying. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.