Macedonian Airlines (OA)
Encyclopedia
Macedonian Airlines was a subsidiary of Olympic Airways
, the former national flag carrier
of Greece
. The company ceased operations in 2003, when it took over the operations of Olympic Airways and was re-named Olympic Airlines
.
After the privatization of Olympic Airways and the formation of Olympic Air
, it was announced by the new CEO Andreas Vgenopoulos that a subsidiary of the company will be established in Northern Greece bearing the name Macedonian Airlines.
national airline, Olympic Airways. The Olympic Airways management board decided to rename the charter subsidiary of the Group, Olympic AirTours in 1992 and the Macedonian Airlines brand name was created. The company had nothing to do with MAT Macedonian Airlines
, which was founded two years later, in 1994.
Macedonian followed the trails of its predecessor, Olympic AirTours, mainly for vacation planning until 1998. In this year the airline acquired two B727-200
from Olympic Airways. Starting with these aircraft, Macedonian offered charter flights of the Greek islands and the mainland abroad European. The society had reached agreements with different large tour operators. One year later, in 1999, the airline used new aircraft, by leasing two B737-400
to replace the already aged Boeing 727s. Since the company was an Olympic Airways subsidiary, all maintenance and handling was operated by the parent company, Olympic Airways.
Until 2003, Macedonian's fleet was also used on OA scheduled services, especially after the older Boeing 737-200s were phased out. In July 2003, the company leased two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 that also used on charter flights. On 12 December 2003, due to the mounting problems of the Olympic Airways Group, a restructuring plan was formed. Macedonian Airlines was separated from the Group, renamed Olympic Airlines
and took over all the data and flight operations of Olympic Airways (including the IATA and ICAO codes).
will relaunch in the near future Macedonian Airlines. Mr. Vgenopoulos mentioned that Olympic Air holds the exclusive rights to the Macedonian Airlines brand name. Mr. Vgenopoulos said that Macedonian Airlines would be up-and-running in the coming two or three months while its first routes would include Germany and Amsterdam. There have been no more official announcements about this up until now.
Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines was the flag carrier airline of Greece, with its head office in Athens. It operated services to 37 domestic destinations and to 32 destinations world-wide. Its main base was at Athens International Airport, with hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport, "Macedonia" and Rhodes...
, the former national flag carrier
Flag carrier
A flag carrier is a transportation company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given country, enjoys preferential rights or privileges, accorded by the government, for international operations. It may be a state-run, state-owned or private but...
of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The company ceased operations in 2003, when it took over the operations of Olympic Airways and was re-named Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines was the flag carrier airline of Greece, with its head office in Athens. It operated services to 37 domestic destinations and to 32 destinations world-wide. Its main base was at Athens International Airport, with hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport, "Macedonia" and Rhodes...
.
After the privatization of Olympic Airways and the formation of Olympic Air
Olympic Air
Olympic Air is the largest Greek airline by destinations served, formed from the privatisation of the former national carrier Olympic Airlines. Olympic Air commenced limited operations on 29 September 2009, after Olympic Airlines ceased all operations, with the official full-scale opening of the...
, it was announced by the new CEO Andreas Vgenopoulos that a subsidiary of the company will be established in Northern Greece bearing the name Macedonian Airlines.
1992–2003
Macedonian Airlines was created in 1992 as the charter subsidiary of the GreekGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
national airline, Olympic Airways. The Olympic Airways management board decided to rename the charter subsidiary of the Group, Olympic AirTours in 1992 and the Macedonian Airlines brand name was created. The company had nothing to do with MAT Macedonian Airlines
MAT Macedonian Airlines
MAT-Macedonian Airlines was the national flag carrier airline of the Republic of Macedonia, based in Skopje. It operated scheduled services between Skopje and Ohrid and several destinations in Europe...
, which was founded two years later, in 1994.
Macedonian followed the trails of its predecessor, Olympic AirTours, mainly for vacation planning until 1998. In this year the airline acquired two B727-200
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
from Olympic Airways. Starting with these aircraft, Macedonian offered charter flights of the Greek islands and the mainland abroad European. The society had reached agreements with different large tour operators. One year later, in 1999, the airline used new aircraft, by leasing two B737-400
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
to replace the already aged Boeing 727s. Since the company was an Olympic Airways subsidiary, all maintenance and handling was operated by the parent company, Olympic Airways.
Until 2003, Macedonian's fleet was also used on OA scheduled services, especially after the older Boeing 737-200s were phased out. In July 2003, the company leased two McDonnell Douglas MD-82 that also used on charter flights. On 12 December 2003, due to the mounting problems of the Olympic Airways Group, a restructuring plan was formed. Macedonian Airlines was separated from the Group, renamed Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines
Olympic Airlines was the flag carrier airline of Greece, with its head office in Athens. It operated services to 37 domestic destinations and to 32 destinations world-wide. Its main base was at Athens International Airport, with hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport, "Macedonia" and Rhodes...
and took over all the data and flight operations of Olympic Airways (including the IATA and ICAO codes).
2010: Relaunch
On 1 October 2009, speaking after Olympic Air΄s inaugural flight in Thessaloniki, MIG΄s CEO Andreas Vgenopoulos said that Olympic AirOlympic Air
Olympic Air is the largest Greek airline by destinations served, formed from the privatisation of the former national carrier Olympic Airlines. Olympic Air commenced limited operations on 29 September 2009, after Olympic Airlines ceased all operations, with the official full-scale opening of the...
will relaunch in the near future Macedonian Airlines. Mr. Vgenopoulos mentioned that Olympic Air holds the exclusive rights to the Macedonian Airlines brand name. Mr. Vgenopoulos said that Macedonian Airlines would be up-and-running in the coming two or three months while its first routes would include Germany and Amsterdam. There have been no more official announcements about this up until now.
Former Fleet
| Aircraft | Operated | In Service |
Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 727-200 Boeing 727 The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced... |
4 | 1998 | Two were leased from Aviogenex Aviogenex Aviogenex is a charter airline based in Belgrade, Serbia. It operates regular and ad hoc charter flights, and wet-lease services, worldwide. Its main base is Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport.-History:... |
||
| Boeing 737-400 | 4 | 1999 | |||
| McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | 2 | 2003 | Both leased from Safair Safair Safair is an airline based in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa. Operator of one of the world's largest fleets of civil Lockheed L-100 Hercules cargo aircraft, it also conducts aircraft chartering, leasing and sales, contract operations and leasing services, flightcrew leasing and... |
||
| Total | 10 | - | |||
External links
- Macedonian Airlines official site
- Macedonian Airlines Virtual &
- Olympic Air
- History of the Macedonian Airlines
- MIG To Relaunch Macedonian Airlines