Meridiana
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Meridiana is a low-cost airline based in Olbia, Italy. It is Italy's third airline operating domestic and European services. Its main base is Costa Smeralda Airport, Olbia, with hubs at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport, Peretola Airport, Florence and Verona Airport [1].
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[edit] Code data
[edit] History
The airline was founded as Alisarda on March 29, 1963 by the Aga Khan as an air-taxi and charter operator to promote tourism to Sardinia. Scheduled services began in 1964 from Olbia. In 1989, 35% of new stock was released to new shareholders to strengthen the company and the name Meridiana was adopted on 3 May 1991. The first international services were operated later in 1991 to Barcelona, Paris, London and Frankfurt [1].
It currently transports over 3 million passengers per year. During 2004, Meridiana replaced four BAe 146-200s with four leased Airbus A319-100s, and has plans for a fifth. In January 2004 it was reported that Meridiana was planning to replace its McDonnell Douglas MD-82 fleet with 17 Airbus A320-200s. In December 2004 it was reported that Meridiana had won the tender for all public service obligation routes from and to Sardinia. However, later in the month an Italian court suspended the public service obligation contract with Meridiana until further notice. [citation needed]
[edit] Fleet
The Meridiana fleet includes the following aircraft (at August 2006):
12 aircraft are leased; the others are company-owned.
Meridiana's average fleet age was 14.6 years in June 2006.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b Flight International 12-18 April 2005
- ^ Airline Codes November 2006
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