After more than a decade without long-haul service, Cameroon’s national airline Camair-Co is resuming intercontinental flights to Saudi Arabia. The return comes as part of the 2026 Umrah pilgrimage season.
In a post on its Facebook account, the airline said departures will operate from Garoua, Douala and Yaoundé, with direct arrival in Medina and return flights from Jeddah to passengers’ cities of origin. The first flight is scheduled for February 17, 2026, barring last-minute changes. Camair-Co said it plans to operate more than six flights under this program.
The route had been suspended in 2016 after repeated cancellations and operational disruptions that affected reliability.
For the relaunch, Camair-Co will deploy two Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 189 seats each, including one leased from Czech company Smartwings. The operation is part of the airline’s broader recovery plan, which aims to gradually rebuild its flight schedule beyond the domestic market.
The move follows the restoration of several regional routes, including Libreville, N’Djamena, Bangui, Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Cotonou. The airline is now entering what it describes as a second phase of expansion.
A Strategic Pivot Toward Africa and Europe
Next on the list are Kinshasa, Lagos, Abuja, Malabo and Paris. The expansion is presented as strategic, aimed at strengthening African connectivity and reopening links to Europe at a time when regional air transport is seen as key to economic integration.
In the airline’s internal magazine, Chief Executive Jean-Christophe Ella Nguema described the moment as decisive. “Camair-Co is at a critical crossroads,” he said. “After more than a decade marked by many challenges, we are entering a new era that requires a deep redefinition of our path.”
He also pointed to growing competition in the market. “The African aviation industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. We must adapt to meet the challenges of stronger competition in Cameroonian skies, support recovery efforts and meet expectations.”
A CFA100bn Recovery Plan
To support its ambitions, Camair-Co is relying on a recovery plan valued at nearly CFA100bn. The stated goal is to become a competitive and financially autonomous airline across several segments of the aviation industry.
Management has outlined a five-year strategy focused on fleet modernization, network expansion, improved service quality and the digitalization of internal processes. Nine key sectors have been identified for greater autonomy, with aircraft maintenance at the top of the list.
Amina Malloum
