Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson helps launch African airline

The frontman and pilot will revive Air Djibouti with his company Cardiff Aviation

Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson will help relaunch African airline Air Djibouti.

The frontman and pilot founded Cardiff Aviation in 2012, an aircraft maintenance business. Reports say that Dickinson has now signed a memorandum of understanding with Air Djibouti to develop a national airline for the East African nation, which will be managed by Cardiff Aviation.

SEE ALSO: Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson invests in ‘world’s biggest aircraft’

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Air Djibouti launched in 1963 and ceased in 2002. However, the country’s president Ismail Omar Guellah has announced plans for a re-launch and revival of Air Djibouti, including plans for two new international airports.

“Djibouti is uniquely placed to provide a hub for investment from Europe, the Middle East and Asia into Africa,” Dickinson said. “By providing full airline support and project implementation to Air Djibouti, Cardiff Aviation will bring a wealth of industry expertise and capability to one of the most exciting aviation markets in the world to spearhead growth in a region with tremendous potential.”

Bruce Dickinson was recently given the all-clear after cancer treatment. Dickinson was diagnosed in February with a cancerous growth on the back of his tongue. He underwent a seven-week course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

In a statement, Dickinson said: “I would like to thank the fantastic medical team who have been treating me for the last few months, resulting in this amazing outcome. It’s been tough on my family and, in many ways, it was harder for them than me.”

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said Dickinson’s recovery meant the band would be unable to play any shows until next year. However, the band are working in Paris with their regular producer Kevin Shirley for their first album since 2010’s ‘The Final Frontier’. It is expected to be released this year.

Smallwood said: “Although Bruce is naturally eager to resume Maiden activities, it will take a while before he is completely back to full strength, as we explained previously. Because of this, the band will not be touring or playing any shows until next year. We know our fans will understand the situation and, like us, would prefer to wait until Bruce is back to his usual indefatigable levels of fitness before going out on the road.

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“For now, the focus will be on putting the finishing touches to the new album, and that is what we will be concentrating on over the coming weeks. The release, however, will definitely be this year.”
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