Air Brousse
Air Brousse was a Congolese airline. The carrier was formed in 1955 by a group of Belgians and flew services within the Belgian Congo, mainly from Leopoldville and Luluabourg. Air Brousse also operated feeder services for Sabena. It had its headquarters in Leopoldville.[1]
Founded | March 1955 |
---|---|
Ceased operations | 31 December 1966 |
Headquarters | Leopoldville, Belgian Congo |
The company ceased operations on 31 December 1966 and was taken over by Air Congo on 30 June 1967.
History
Air Brousse was established as a private enterprise in March 1955 .[2] The Belgians who owned the company were distributors for Aero Commander, Hughes and Piper aircraft in the Congo.[3] In the beginnings, the carrier flew local scheduled services from Leopoldville and Luluabourg, but charter services were also undertaken. It also run feeder services for Sabena.[2]
By April 1960 , the fleet comprised four Rapides, two Piper Pacer, two Tri-Pacers and one Tiger Moth that worked scheduled and charter services within the Belgian Congo. The carrier also run a maintenance facility for private aircraft.[4] Employment was at 143 in April 1964 .[5] The number of employees had grown to 158 by April 1965 . Focusing mainly on the transport of passengers, at this time the airline also undertook aerial works and kept a minor shareholding in Air Congo,[6] which had been formed in 1961 with the government and Sabena being the major shareholders, together keeping 95% of the shares, and Air Brousse and Sobelair holding the balance.[7]
Air Brousse operated until 31 December 1966.[8] The company was absorbed by Air Congo on 30 June 1967 .[9] Cogeair took over some of the routes formerly operated by Air Brousse.[10]
Citations
- "World airline survey – Air Brousse". Flight International. 89 (2979): 597. 14 April 1966. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
- Guttery (1998), p. 37.
- Guttery (1998), p. 37–38.
- "Airlines of the World – Air Brousse". Flight. 77 (2665): 490. 8 April 1960. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
- "World airline survey – Air Brousse". Flight International. 85 (2873): 495. 2 April 1964. Archived from the original on 24 August 2013.
- "World airline survey – Air Brousse". Flight International. 87 (2927): 566. 15 April 1965. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
- "The world's airlines – Air Congo". Flight International. 81 (2770): 552. 12 April 1962. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013.
- "World airline survey – Air Brousse SPRL". Flight International. 91 (3031): 554. 13 April 1967. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013.
- "World airline survey – Air Bousse [sic] SPRL". Flight International. 93 (3083): 516. 11 April 1968. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
- Guttery (1998), p. 38.
Bibliography
- Guttery, Ben R. (1998). Encyclopedia of African Airlines. Jefferson, North Carolina 28640: Mc Farland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-7864-0495-7.CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)