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Tunisair

Tunisair
Tunisair logo.svg
IATA ICAO Callsign
TU TAR TUNAIR
Founded 1948 (1948)
Commenced operations 1 April 1949 (1949-04-01)
Hubs Tunis-Carthage International Airport
Frequent-flyer program Fidelys
Fleet size 34
Destinations 101
Headquarters Tunis, Tunisia
Key people Sarra Rejeb (CEO)
Website www.tunisair.com

Société Tunisienne de l'Air, or Tunisair (Arabic: الخطوط التونسية‎‎) is the flag carrier airline of Tunisia. Formed in 1948, it operates scheduled international services to European, African and Middle Eastern destinations. Its main base is Tunis-Carthage International Airport. The airline's head office is in Tunis, near Tunis Airport. Tunisair is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

The carrier was formed by the government of Tunisia as Société Tunisienne de l'Air in late 1948. The initial investment was FRF 60 million, with shareholding split between the government (35%), Air France (35%) and another interests (30%). Air France transferred some of its DC-3s and routes (which included TunisBoneAlgiers, Tunis–AjaccioNice, Tunis–Bastia–Nice, Tunis–Rome and a cargo flight between Tunis and Marseilles) to the new airline for it to start operations; these commenced on 1 April 1949 (1949-04-01). The first managing director of the company was Rene Lefevre.

The route network was expanded along the coast during the early 1950s. In 1951, Casablanca, Ghudamis and Tripoli were incorporated as destinations. In May that year, a Tunis–TripoliSabhah service was launched; it was routed via Sfax and Djerba in September. The Ghudamis route was terminated in 1952, and the Casablanca run was taken over by Air France the same year. In 1953, the service to Marseilles was extended to Paris. In 1954, a Douglas DC-4 was leased from Air France and used on the route to Paris. At March 1955 (1955-03), the fleet comprised three Douglas DC-3s, one Douglas DC-4 and a SNCASE Languedoc. During 1955, the carrier transported 92,344 passengers. At year end, the number of employees was 140. The airline had a revenue of £620,000 for 1955, and costs totalled to £550,000. In 1957 the Tunisian government became the largest shareholder (51%) and the stake held by Air France was reduced to 15%.


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