Named for a family of large-footed South Pacific birds, MAL is formed by Laurie Crowley at Honiara in 1963 to offer internal services throughout the Solomons Islands area. Employing a Piper PA-23 Aztec, Crowley initiates charter flights from World War II’s famous Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Within a year, Megapode acquires a former British Ministry of Aviation de Havilland DH 104 Dove at Adelaide, Australia, and has it refurbished and placed into service on regularly scheduled services.
Destinations visited by the Dove in 1964-1968 include Munda and Segi Point on New Georgia, Yandina in the Russell Islands, Kirakira on San Cristobal, and Auki on Malaita Island. On May 1 of the latter year, Megapode is taken over by Macair (Melanesian Airline Charter Company [Pty.], Ltd.) of Papua New Guinea and is renamed Solair (Solomon Island Airways, Ltd.).
MELILA JET, S. A.: Calle Orense 4, Madrid, E-28020, Spain; Phone 34 (91) 555-8004; Fax 34 (91) 555-0431; Code MJT1; Year Founded 1995. A. Paukner, a private Spanish company with travel agency interests, establishes Milila at Madrid in 1995. Ownership is divided between Paukner (78%) and other investors (12%). Gerd Peter Pauker is appointed president and revenue flights are undertaken to various holiday destinations with a pair of British Aerospace BAe 146-100s wet-leased from Pan Air Lineas Aereas, S. A.
Service continues in 1996-1998. When Pan Air Lineas Aereas, Ltd. exits the scheduled airline business during the latter year, use of the BAes ends. Milila turns to the use of executive jets for small group and VIP flights.
World History
