Gambia Airways was the Gambian flag carrier based out of Gambia's Banjul Airport. Founded in 1964, its activities were later taken over by Gambia International Airlines after it ceased operations in 1996. It often operated at a loss, due to being created for national pride rather than on good business judgement.
Gambia Airways formed in December 1964. On December 14, 1990, it leased a Boeing 707 from Omega Air which was returned on April 4, 1991. In 1993 the airline operated a fleet of 2 NAMC YS 11s. When Air Gambia lost it's permit to fly to London Gambia Airways took over the route with a Boeing 707. The airline owned a total of 3 NAMC YS-11s, but by 1996 all operations ceased. The airline leased two more NAMC YS 11s from Air Aruba.
On December 9, 1993, a Gambia Airways NAMC YS-11 flying on the Dakar-Banjul route collided midair with a DHC-6, killing all 3 occupants on the DHC-6. All 38 occupants on the NAMC YS-11 survived.