GERALD BUTT / NICOSIA
Cargo airline Trans Mediterranean Airways (TMA) has been granted a licence to operate passenger charter flights and air taxi services on an inclusive tour basis on routes not served by fellow Lebanese carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA).
The cargo airline is preparing to start passenger operations with an Airbus A320 on wet-lease, and aims to expand services towards the end of the year. The company says it is looking at possible destinations in Eastern Europe and Asia to try and attract tour groups to Lebanon.
"This is only the beginning of TMA's efforts to expand and diversify," says TMA chairman Fadi Saab.
Other aircraft types to offer tour operators a wider range of options are being studied. The cargo carrier has created a new division, TMA-Leisure, for its passenger operations.
Although most of its Boeing 707 freighters were stored last year, the airline recently wet-leased an Airbus A310-300 freighter from Islandsflug and has resumed cargo services to European destinations. Like MEA, TMA suffered lost equipment and revenue during the Lebanese civil war. Since then it has felt the effects of Lebanon's slow economic recovery.
Source: Flight International
