AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL AIRWAYS, LTD.: P. O. Box 2117, Mbabane, Swaziland; Phone 44 (1293) 544 706; Fax 44 (1293) 615 800; Code AI; Year Founded 1985. An all-cargo operation, AIA is formed at Mbabane in August 1985. Shareholding is divided between Intavia, Ltd. (which receives a management contract), UK Airline Management Support, and P. J. M. Corbin. During the remainder of the decade, branch offices are established at Crawley, Sussex, in the UK and in Kempton Park, South Africa.
The company operates a single Douglas DC-8-54F on replacement cargo services for Alitalia, S. p.A.; it is sold to Flash Airlines, Ltd.
In Nigeria during 1987. A replacement DC-8-54F is acquired the same year.
After obtaining a second leased DC-8-54F from Connie Kalitta Services in May 1990, Managing Director T. M. Longmore’s concern begins long-haul revenue services to European, African, and Middle Eastern destinations.
An office is opened in London in 1991 and B. J. Keay and A. J. Stocks are sent to manage it.
A third chartered DC-8-54F is placed into service during 1992 followed by a DC-8-55F in 1994. International charters continue as the 40-employee company comes to specialize in the provision of supplemental contract capacity to scheduled carriers, with emphasis on the Italian flag carrier Alitalia, S. p.A.
The DC-8-55F is withdrawn in 1995 and, in 1996, a Boeing 707-330C is chartered from Seagreen Air Transport, Ltd. Operations continue in 1997-2000. During these years, the Stratofreighter is withdrawn and flights are conducted with the DC-8-54F and DC-8-55F.
World History
