Palestinian Airlines is scheduled to resume regular operations this week, Transport Minister Saadi Al-Karnaz announced. The airline’s services came to a halt in July 2002, after Israel damaged the runway of Gaza Strip's only airport. Since that time, Royal Jordanian has been operating joint flights on behalf of the Palestinian Authority's fledgling flag carrier.
The airline will initially operate its tri-weekly flights to the Jordanian capital of Amman out of the nearby Egyptian airport Al-Arish. Gaza International airport will reopen once negotiations are concluded between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The transport ministry also plans to initiate the privatization of Palestinian Airlines once Gaza airport is reactivated. Palestinian Airlines’ fleet is made up of two Fokker 50 aircraft, both in ill condition. The company reportedly intends to lease two carriers from a Canadian company.
Founded in July 1994, the airline’s first flight took-off from Port Saed Airport in Egypt in January 1997, carrying Palestinian pilgrims to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. First activated in November 1998, the Gaza International airport is capable of handling jumbo jets and 700,000 passengers a year. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
