Aviation – Benin: Amazone Airlines Granted Air Operator Certificate, Boosting National Air Transport Ambitions
The aviation sector in Benin has reached a new strategic milestone with the official issuance of an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to Amazone Airlines. The ceremony took place on 13 February 2026 at the headquarters of the Agence Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ANAC), marking a turning point for the country’s air transport industry.
A Strategic Step for Benin’s Aviation Ecosystem
The delivery of the highly anticipated certificate crowns several months of technical and regulatory preparation by the national carrier. The event was attended by Amazone Airlines’ Chief Executive Officer, Lambert Loko; Certification Project Manager, Elisée Dansou; and ANAC Director General, Karl Legba.
According to Lambert Loko, the certification represents a “historic milestone” for air transport in Benin. He emphasized that it materializes the vision championed by President Patrice Talon to establish a national airline capable of strengthening the country’s regional and international footprint while supporting the ambitions of the national development program.
Beyond its symbolic value, obtaining the Air Operator Certificate paves the way for the airline’s operational launch, with the objective of enhancing Benin’s connectivity, improving territorial accessibility, and stimulating business and tourism flows.
Regulatory Compliance and International Standards
Certification Project Manager Elisée Dansou outlined the key stages completed in securing the AOC, highlighting:
- Compliance of operational procedures,
- Qualification and certification of flight and technical crews,
- Implementation of a Safety Management System (SMS) aligned with international standards.
These requirements form the foundation of any sustainable and credible airline operation, particularly within an African context where aviation safety and security standards continue to strengthen.
For his part, ANAC Director General Karl Legba stressed that the issuance of the certificate confirms Amazone Airlines’ capacity to operate in full compliance with national and international regulations. He underlined that the development of safe and reliable air transport depends primarily on operator discipline and robust regulatory oversight.
A Lever for Regional Connectivity and Benin’s Hub Ambitions
For Benin, the launch of a certified national carrier represents a strategic lever in an increasingly competitive regional environment. As several West African countries invest in airport infrastructure and national airlines, Cotonou aims to consolidate its position as a sub-regional connectivity platform.
In the medium term, Amazone Airlines could contribute to:
- Expanding domestic and regional routes,
- Facilitating intra-African trade flows,
- Supporting high-value logistics chains,
- Boosting tourism and service-sector development.
For our editorial team, the certification goes beyond aviation alone: it forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen corridors, enhance flow efficiency, and improve national competitiveness.
With the granting of its Air Operator Certificate, Amazone Airlines lays the groundwork for an industrial project poised to play a structuring role in Benin’s logistics and economic architecture.
