Countries often make it obvious, through naming or marketing, which airline represents the nation. Take, for example, "Emirates," unmistakably a flag carrier for the United Arab Emirates. Or Qantas, with their slogan, "Spirit of Australia." And while a national airline no longer needs to be wholly owned by the state but has enough local or regional significance to represent the country, many countries today are without a flag carrier. Today we will look at some notable examples.

Small countries in Europe

Nestled between Spain and France is Andorra, a small nation of about 79,000 individuals and no airport or flag carrier. Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport sits around 12 kilometers from the border in Spain, while the closest major airports are Barcelona, Spain, and Toulouse, France. Two Spanish airlines named after the country, Air Andorra and Andorra Airways, never quite took off. According to ch-aviation, the latter is still active, and they have a website, though there are no ways to book a flight with them.

Aerial view of Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell Airport.
Photo: Javier Ortega Figueiral via Wikimedia Commons

Another country bordering France that has no national carrier is Monaco. Unless one wishes to use a heliport within its borders, travelers to Monaco could fly in via nearby Nice, France, which has an airport about 30 kilometers away by car. The sovereign nations of Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Vatican City also share the same characteristics, no airport and no flag carrier. Passengers with their final destination in Liechtenstein could fly to St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport in Switzerland or Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany. At the same time, those visiting San Marino or Vatican City will need to fly into Italy first.

Flying in Africa

Several African countries currently do not have a flag carrier, though many previously did. Known for wildlife and status as a major tech and creative hub for the African continent, Nigeria has no national airline. However, from 1958 to 2003, Nigeria Airways operated as the country's flag carrier. They had many different aircraft, such as the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, Airbus A310, Boeing 737, and the 747.

A Nigeria Airways Airbus A310-222 at Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Photo: Michel Gilliand via Wikimedia Commons

Similarly, Somali Airlines previously flew for the East African nation from 1964 to 1991. This airline was smaller and mainly served the region along with some Gulf states and limited EU cities. Yet smaller were Liberia Airways and Air Bissau. While no airline picked up the flag for either nation, Air Bissau eventually transferred its services to Cabo Verde Airlines.

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Over to South America

One notable country without a flag carrier is Uruguay. The national government-owned PLUNA Líneas Aereas Uruguayas S.A., or First Uruguayan Air Navigation Lines, from 1936 until 2012, when they closed and liquidated the company. Over the years, the airline operated aircraft from McDonnell Douglas, Embraer, Boeing, Airbus, Fokker, and more, though at the time of bankruptcy, the fleet consisted of only Bombardier CRJ900s.

A LATAM Airbus A320 aircraft taxiing.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Elsewhere on the continent, countries with no official flag carrier include Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. However, LATAM Airlines Group SA, based in Chile, has significant operations in these countries and could be regarded by some as flag carriers.

The United States

The most notorious on the list is the United States. Of course, there are the big three, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and a plethora of other larger and regional airlines. Yet none of them take on the banner of flag carrier for the country.

Years ago, Pan American Airways was the unofficial flag carrier. However, the airline went defunct in 1991, and by then, the government had deregulated the aviation industry, so airlines focused on business and competition rather than replacing Pan Am.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 taxiing at FLL
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

A full list of nations without a flag carrier is listed below:

Africa

  • Benin;
  • Central African Republic;
  • Comoros;
  • Gabon;
  • Gambia;
  • Ghana;
  • Guinea;
  • Guinea-Bissau;
  • Lesotho;
  • Liberia;
  • Mali;
  • Niger;
  • Nigeria;
  • Sierra Leone;
  • Somalia;
  • Swaziland;
  • Togo;
  • Zambia.

Asia

  • East Timor.

Caribbean

  • Barbados;
  • Dominica;
  • Dominican Republic;
  • Grenada;
  • Haiti;
  • St. Kitts;
  • St. Lucia.

Central America

  • Antigua and Barbuda;
  • Belize;
  • Costa Rica;
  • El Salvador;
  • Guatemala;
  • Honduras;
  • Nicaragua.

Europe

  • Andorra;
  • Armenia;
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina;
  • Hungary;
  • Kosovo;
  • Liechtenstein;
  • Lithuania;
  • Macedonia;
  • Monaco;
  • San Marino;
  • Slovakia;
  • Slovenia;
  • Vatican City.

Middle East

  • Kyrgyzstan;
  • Tajikistan.

North America

  • United States

Oceania

  • Micronesia;
  • Palau;
  • Tonga;
  • Tuvalu.

South America

  • Brazil*;
  • Ecuador*;
  • Paraguay*;
  • Peru*;
  • Uruguay.

Have we missed any countries without a flag carrier? Or do any of these countries have a local airline known as their flag carrier? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Alternative Airlines