Before the names of the East African airlines we know today were ever uttered, another aviation giant ruled the skies. East African Airways (EAA) steadily dominated the African aviation industry for 30 years.
In 1967, East African Airways was celebrated with four stamps to honour its ‘coming of age’ after 21 years of operation. The stamps depicted four different aircrafts including the Dragon Rapide (30 cents), Comet 4 (sh. 1.30), the Super VC 10 (50 cents) and the F 27 Friendship (sh. 2.50). The airways’ black, yellow and red colours sweep a bold stripe from tail to nose.
The birth of an airline
In 1943, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) formed a committee which recommended the creation of a single authority on air travel in East Africa following World War 1.
EAA was a joint venture between the British colonies of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The airline officially launched its reign over the East African airspace from the Eastleigh Aerodrome on January 1st, 1946.
The 1960s: The age of the commercial jet
The jets illustrated on the stamps were renowned beasts in the aviation world and revolutionised air travel. The introduction of Comet 4 jets propelled East African Airways from having a wonky balance sheet and a profit of £40,000, to reporting a booming profit of £460,683. In 1960, a Pound was worth 20 East African Shillings. These jets were powerful descendants of the first commercial jet airliner called the Comet 1.
The Super VC 10 is best remembered through the eyes of a staff member. Mary Wairimu, a flight attendant who was with the airline from 1970 to 1977, loved the sound the SVC10s made on take-off and landing. The former stewardess remembered having an undeterred zeal for flying and a fondness for her fellow staff members who ran a tight ship-or plane.
The end of an era
EAA’s deterioration began in 1970 as a result of the partnering countries’ burgeoning independence. Relations between the three countries declined. Tanzania and Uganda found it untenable to keep up with the operational costs of the airline.
The airline’s time in the sun was not all in vain. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania all set up Kenya Airways, Uganda Airlines and Air Tanzania respectively to carry on the legacy East African Airways so impressively left behind.
