Air Gabon Logo PNG
Air Gabon: Brand overview
In 1951, the airline Territoires Associés pour l’Aviation Nationale (ATAN) started in Gabon, a French colony. It began with a small fleet, including piston-engine aircraft like the De Havilland Dragon Rapide and Douglas DC-3, serving major regional cities.
With Gabon’s independence in 1960, ATAN was renamed Air Gabon Internationale, and the airline expanded its fleet with the Fokker F27 turboprop. This period marked a new phase of development for the airline.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Air Gabon Internationale extended its routes internationally, adding flights to Cameroon, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. Newer jet aircraft, including the Boeing 707 and Boeing 737-200, supported this expansion.
On December 15, 1977, the airline’s name changed to Air Gabon. Its fleet by then included a variety of aircraft, allowing for flights to cities across Gabon, other regional capitals, and far-off destinations in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Libreville, Gabon’s capital, became the central hub for Air Gabon, with other bases like Port-Gentil enhancing the network. This setup helped Air Gabon significantly in terms of passenger and cargo transportation.
However, the 1990s brought economic challenges, rising fuel costs, and stiff competition. Despite efforts to attract investors and restructure during the 1990s and 2000s, the airline struggled. By 2005, only four older aircraft remained in operation.
Due to safety and financial issues, the Gabonese government withdrew Air Gabon’s license on February 24, 2006, ending its operations. This was a significant setback for Gabon’s transportation network.
Subsequent efforts to revive Air Gabon were unsuccessful due to a lack of substantial investments, and the remaining assets and aircraft were eventually sold or transferred to other carriers.
From its founding in 1951 to its closure in 2006, Air Gabon was instrumental in connecting Gabon domestically and internationally, marking an important chapter in African aviation history.
Meaning and History
1951 – 2006
Air Gabon, a small African airline, was recognizable for the whimsical green parrot that adorned its planes. The bird’s silhouette on the emblem consisted of several polygons and a circle. The characteristic shape of the beak and a large eye formed by a thick white ring indicated that it was indeed a parrot. The brand name uses a cursive version of the Antique Olive Nord font, obviously borrowed from the Air France logo. The lettering is in blue, as this color is traditionally associated with the sky, flight, and spaciousness.
The use of polygons and circles in creating the parrot silhouette gives the traditional plot a modern sound. The whimsical green parrot attracts attention and gives the airline a unique cultural flavor. Borrowing elements such as the Antique Olive Nord font from well-known airlines such as Air France was strategic, evoking a sense of reliability and heritage. At the same time, the blue color of the lettering emphasizes the airline’s core aviation business.
