Bluebird Aviation

"BBZ" redirects here. For other uses, see BBZ (disambiguation).

For similarly-named aviation companies, see Bluebird (disambiguation) § Aviation.

Bluebird Aviation

IATA ICAO Call sign – BBZ COBRA
Founded	1992
Hubs	Wilson Airport
Focus cities	Kenya
Fleet size	9
Parent company	Bluebird Aviation
Headquarters	Nairobi, Kenya
Website	bluebirdaviation.com

Bluebird Aviation is a regional airline based in Nairobi, Kenya. It was established in 1992 and operates regional charter services. Its main base is Wilson Airport, Nairobi. ^[1]

Description

Bluebird Aviation Limited is a Kenyan air charter company based at Wilson Airport, Nairobi. The company was incorporated in 1992 and operates scheduled, non-scheduled and ad hoc 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

As of August 2025 ^[update] , Bluebird Aviation operates the following aircraft: ^[2]

Bluebird Aviation Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Passengers	Notes
Beechcraft 1900D	1	—
Bombardier Dash 8-100	4	—
Bombardier Dash 8-Q400	1	—
Bombardier Dash 8-Q400PF	3	—
Total	9

The Bluebird Aviation fleet previously included the following aircraft (as of July 2011): ^[3]

• 1 Raytheon Beech 1900D Airliner
• 2 Beechcraft King Air 200
• 1 Bombardier Dash 8 Q200
• 5 Fokker 50
• 1 Let L-410A
• 3 Let L-410UVP-E

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

1. "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International . 27 March 2007. p. 86.
2. "Global Airline Guide 2025 - Bluebird Aviation". Airliner World. September 2025. p. 64.
3. Günter Endres, ed. (2011). Flight International World Airlines 2011. Sutton, Surrey, England: Reed Business Information. ISBN   978-1-898779-43-8.
4. aviation-safety.net: Accident description
5. Donkey Blamed for Crash of Kenyan Plane in Somalia https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/55306-donkey-blamed-crash-kenyan-plane-somalia

External links

• Official website