Air Cote d'Ivoire says 2020 turnover fell 42% during coronavirus pandemic

Ivory Coast’s national airline Air Cote d’Ivoire reported turnover of 48b CFA Francs ($88.7m) in 2020, down 42% from 83b the previous year because of the coronavirus pandemic, an official said Thursday. The airline received 14b CFA francs from the government last June to keep it afloat as flights were halted. Travel curbs have hit heavily-indebted airlines in the region, forcing some into liquidation. The Ivorian flag carrier took delivery of a new Airbus A320neo on Thursday and aims to start serving South Africa in the second half of this year, said Laurent Loukou, deputy CEO. “We are confident that with this aircraft we will gain market share,” Loukou said.<br/>