Aviation History
Cameroon's national airline history began with Cameroon Airlines (Camair), founded in 1971 as domestic and regional flights moved out from under the pan-African carrier Air Afrique. Cameroon Airlines was plagued by financial and safety problems and ceased operations in 2008; it was replaced by the state-created Camair-Co, which did not launch flights until 2011. Camair-Co has never turned a profit and, as of the mid-2020s, operates a much-reduced fleet under IMF-monitored financial restructuring, with its long-term viability an ongoing and unresolved question.
Camair is established as a majority state-owned carrier, with a minority Air France stake, to build a national identity apart from regional carrier Air Afrique.
Camair launches scheduled domestic flights between Douala and Yaoundé using Boeing 737-200 aircraft.
Camair adds the Boeing 747-200 to its fleet for long-haul international service.
French aviation authorities ban Cameroon Airlines from Paris routes over safety and maintenance concerns.
A presidential decree establishes Camair-Co as a planned successor carrier while the ailing Cameroon Airlines continues operating.
Cameroon Airlines shuts down entirely amid unresolved debts and safety concerns, leaving the country without a flag carrier.
Nearly five years after its creation, Camair-Co finally begins commercial service, inheriting many of the same structural challenges as its predecessor.
Camair-Co is placed under an IMF-monitored performance contract while continuing to operate at a loss with much of its small fleet grounded; its financial and operational status remains unstable and subject to change.
Camair-Co · Cameroon Airlines (defunct)
Wikipedia, Simple Flying, IMF and aviation trade press — note: Camair-Co's financial and operational status is unstable and should be verified against current sources