• Amazone Airlines begins flights between Cotonou and Parakou on March 23
• The carrier emerges from a merger aimed at rebuilding national air service
• Expansion plans will face regional competition and high operating costs

Amazone Airlines launched its first flight on March 23, introducing domestic service between Cotonou and Parakou and marking a new phase for air transport in Benin.

The route offers a faster alternative to road travel, creating a direct air link between the south and the center of the country, which until now have been connected only by land.

The airline was formed through the merger of Bénin Airlines and Cronos Airlines Bénin, which previously operated Twin Otter DHC-6-400 turboprop aircraft. The move reflects efforts to reestablish a national carrier following the shutdown of Bénin Airlines, formerly known as Air Taxi Bénin.

Authorities see air transport as a strategic tool as Cotonou aims to attract more than 2 million international visitors annually.

For now, Amazone Airlines faces no direct competition in the domestic market. However, any expansion into regional routes would place it in a competitive West African market dominated by international carriers and regional players such as Air Peace, Air Côte d’Ivoire, and ASKY Airlines.

Beyond competition, the airline will have to navigate structural challenges common across Africa’s aviation sector. According to the African Airlines Association (AFRAA), high operating costs remain a major hurdle, driven by low load factors, expensive maintenance, high fuel prices, and heavy taxes and fees.

The fragmented nature of the market—marked by a growing number of national airlines, both operational and planned across the continent—adds another layer of complexity.

Henoc Dossa