SOCIETE ANONYME ROUMAINE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A. (SARTA): Romania (1932-1937). The French aircraft manufacturer Poetz forms SARTA at Sofia in early 1932 to offer internal competition to both the French-backed CIDNA concern (soon to become a part of Air France) as well as the new Romanian government carrier Linile Aeriene Romane Exploatate cu Statul (LARES). Equipped with Poetz 56s, SARTA begins a single 500-mile domestic route from Arad in the north, south through Budapest to Constanta.
Electing to possess a complete state carrier flying both international and domestic service, the Romanian government reconstitutes LARES on July 13, 1937. SARTA and its aircraft and routes are purchased and merged.
SOCIETE ANTILLAISE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A. (AIR GUADELOUPE). See SATA (SOCIETE ANTILLAISE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A.-AIR GUADELOUPE)
SOCIETE AUXILIARE DE GERANCE ET DE TRANSPORTS, S. A. See COMPAGNIE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENNES INTER-CONTINENTAUX, S. A. (TAI)
SOCIETE AUXILIARE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN, S. A. (SATA): Switzerland (1966-1978). SATA is established at Geneva in June 1966 by Edmond Favre, Charles Jacquat, and Raymond Lambert, initially as an air taxi operator. Although small-scale nonscheduled flights will be maintained with 1 Cessna 421, 1 C-401, and 1 C-172 during the life of the company, the partners elect during the early 1970s to convert their enterprise into a full-scale international charter and inclusive-tour service.
With Favre as chairman and Jacquat as president, SATA begins to acquire jetliners and offer group flights to holiday destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean, South America, the U. S., and the Caribbean. Operations continue apace throughout the decade’s first eight years with a fleet that comes to include not only the 3 Cessnas, also but 3 Sud-Est SE-210 Caravelle XRs, 1 Douglas DC-8-50, and 1 DC-8-63CF.
Expenses far exceed profits and in October 1978 the company enters bankruptcy. Its assets will be taken over by Companie de Transports Aerien, S. A. (CTA), a new subsidiary of Swissair, A. G.
SOCIETE AVIA MAROC LIGNE AERIENNE, S. A. See AIR MAROC (SOCIETE AVIA MAROC LIGNE AERIENNE, S. A.)
SOCIETE BELGE DE TRANSPORTS PAR AIR, S. A. See SOBLEAIR, N. V.
SOCIETE CALEDONIENNE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A. (TRANSPAC): French Oceania (1955-1968). TRAPAS is reorganized and renamed on September 25, 1955. Scheduled services are undertaken linking the carrier’s base at Aerodrome de Magenta at Noumea with Mueo, Kone, Koumac, Belep, Houailou, and Touhu in New Caledonia and Mare, Tiga, and Lifu in the Loyalty Islands.
A total of 1,200 passengers are flown during the inaugural year. Twelve years later, in 1967, the company is maintaining its same route network with a fleet of 3 de Havilland DH 114 Herons, 2 Piper PA-23 Aztecs, and 2 PA-28 Cherokees. Orders are outstanding for a de Hav-illand Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter.
Enplanements for the year total 44,852.
Airline employment reaches 75 in 1968 and the Twin Otter is delivered. Later in the year, the carrier is renamed Air Caledonie, S. A.
SOCIETE D’ECONOMIE MIXTE AIR MAURITANIE, S. A. See AIR MAURITANIE (2) (SOCIETE D’ECONOMIE MIXTE AIR MAURITANIE, S. A.)
SOCIETE D’ETUDES ET D’ENTERPRISES AERIENNES EN IN-DOCHINE ET EN EXTREME ORIENT (SEAIE). See AIR ASIE, S. A.
SOCIETE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN DU RWANDA, S. A. See STAR (SOCIETE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN DU RWANDA, S. A.)
SOCIETE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN REGIONAL, S. A. See STAR EUROPE (SOCIETE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN REGIONAL, S. A.)
SOCIETE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS INTERNATIONAUX ET REGIONAUX, S. A. (STAIR): France (1990-1994). STAIR is established at Paris in 1990 to offer passenger charter and inclusive-tour flights to international and regional destinations throughout Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Mideast.
Revenue services commence with a single Aerospatiale (Sud) SE-210 Caravelle XB and continue until the company shuts down in 1994.
SOCIETE DE TRANSPORTS SERVICES ET TRAVAUX AERIENS, S. A. See TUNISAVIA (SOCIETE DE TRANSPORTS SERVICES ET TRAVAUX AERIENS, S. A.)
SOCIETE DES TRANSPORTES AERIENS GUYANAIS, S. A. See TAG (SOCIETE DES TRANSPORTES AERIENS GUYANAIS, S. A.)
SOCIETE FRANCAISE DE TRANSPORTES AERIENS DU PACIFIC SUD (TRAPAS): French Polynesia (1948-1955). TRAPAS is formed at New Caledonia in 1948 to provide air transport between the islands making up the French empire in the Pacific Ocean area. On September 25, 1955, the carrier is renamed Societe Caledonienne de Transports Aeriens, S. A. (TRANSPAC).
SOCIETE FRANCO-BILBAINE DES TRANSPORT AERIENS, S. A.: France (1920-1923). Early in 1920, Compagnie des Transports Aeronautiques du Sud-Ouest, S. A. is recapitalized, reformed, and given this name. With a fleet of 15 aircraft, it resumes summer-only service from its Bayonne base to Santander and Bilbao. After three years of low traffic and poor financial returns, the carrier disappears in 1923.
SOCIETE GENERALE DE TRANSPORT AERIEN, S. A. (SGTA): France (1922-1933). In 1922, Lignes Aeriennes Farman is renamed Societe Generale de Transport Aerien, S. A. (SGTA); the previous Farman routes are maintained. When Air Union, S. A. is formed in January 1923, it elects to concentrate its resources on Paris-London service. SGTA, in turn, takes over the former Compagnie des Grands Express Aeriens, S. A. (CGEA) routes Paris to Geneva and Paris to Aix-les-Bains via Lausanne and Evian.
Thirteen Farman F-170 Jabirus (Storks) inaugurate Paris to Berlin via Cologne service on May 26, 1926. Later in the year, four Farman F-3X Jabirus (Storks) begin service on a route from Paris to Amsterdam via Brussels.
In 1927, SGTA enters into a pooling arrangement with Deutsche Luft Hansa, A. G. (DLH) on the Berlin run. Service is launched to Copenhagen and Malmo via Cologne and Hamburg. On January 3, 1928, night flights are added on routes from Paris to Rome and from Paris to Casablanca.
In February, the first Farman 180 Oiseau Bleu (Blue Bird) is put into service on the London-Paris route. With a blue-painted fuselage and twin engines mounted in tandem above the top wings, the 180 provides accommodations for 24 passengers; on night flights, up to 17 may be carried in couchettes. The aircraft wins public accolades for two other features. It is one of the first to carry a fully equipped bar (at the rear of the fuselage) and, more importantly from a safety viewpoint, it is able to maintain altitude on only one engine with a 17,500-lb. payload.
Frequencies are increased Paris to Berlin later in the year as the company begins to concentrate on its Continental operations.
A year later, in 1929, the three Farman 180 Oiseau Bleus (Blue Birds) are put into service on the Paris-Berlin route.
During 1930, six Farman F-301s begin flying from Paris to Berlin and from Paris to Malmo via Brussels, Essen, Hamburg, and Copenhagen. Enplanements for the year total some 12,500.
Fourteen single-engine Farman F-190s are delivered in 1931-1932 and on August 30, 1933, SGTA is one of the four merger partners that create Air France.
SOCIETE INDOCHINOISE D’ETUDES E’AVIATION COM-MERCIALE ET POSTALE (SIEACP). See AIR ASIE, S. A.
SOCIETE IVOIRIENNE DE TRANSPORT AERIENS, S. A. See AIR IVOIRE (SOCIETE IVOIRIENNE DE TRANSPORT AERIENS, S. A.)
SOCIETE NATIONALAIR MALI, S. A. See AIR MALI (SOCIETE NATIONAL AIR MALI, S. A.)
SOCIETE NATIONALAIR MAURITANIE, S. A. See AIR MAURI-TANIE (1) (SOCIETE NATIONALAIR MAURITANIE, S. A.)
SOCIETE NATIONAL DES TRANSPORT AERIENS, S. A. See AIR COMORES, S. A. (2) (SOCIETE NATIONAL DES TRANS-PORTAERIENS, S. A.)
SOCIETE NATIONAL MALAGACHE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A. See AIR MADAGASCAR: SOCIETE NATIONAL MALAGACHE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS, S. A.
SOCIETE NATIONALE AIR FRANCE. See AIR FRANCE
SOCIETE NATIONALE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS DU SENEGAL, S. A. See AIR SENEGAL (SOCIETE NATIONALE DE TRANSPORTS AERIENS DU SENEGAL, S. A.)
SOCIETE NATIONALES DES TRANSPORTS AERIENS DU RWANDA, S. A. See AIR RWANDA (SOCIETE NATIONALES DES TRANSPORTS AERIENS DU RWANDA, S. A.)
SOCIETE NOUVELLE AIR TOULOUSE INTERNATIONAL, S. A. (SNATI). See AIR TOULOUSE INTERNATIONAL, S. A.
SOCIETE TUNISIENNE DE L’AIR, S. A. See TUNIS AIR (SOCIETE TUNISIENNE DE L’AIR, S. A.)
SOLAIR (SOLOMON ISLANDS AIRWAYS, LTD.): P. O. Box 23, Honiara, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; Phone 677 20 031; Fax 677 23 992; Http://www. solomonairlines. com. au; Code IE; Year Founded 1968. When Honiara, Guadalcanal-based Megapode Airways, Ltd. is taken over by Bryan McCook’s Macair (Melanesian Airline Charter Company [Pty.], Ltd.) of Papua New Guinea on May 1, 1968, the new subsidiary is allowed, as of June 1, to continue its regularly scheduled and charter operations under its revised identity of Solair.
Employing a new de Havilland DH 104 Dove supplied by Macair, the company visits airstrips at Munda and Segi Point (Seghe) on New Georgia, Yandina, in the Russell Islands, Kirakira on San Cristobal, and Auki on Malaita Island.
In 1969-1975, the Solair fleet is increased by the addition of a second Dove and two Beech 55 Barons. During the first quarter of the latter year, the Macair subsidiary acquires operating rights between Honiara and the Papua New Guinea community of Kieta, on Bougainville. Solair is now the smallest international airline in the world. In April, Macair and its Solair subsidiary are purchased by Talair (Tourist Airlines of Niugini, Ltd.). Macair is merged, but Solair is allowed to continue operations as a subsidiary of its latest owner.
During 1976, Solair’s two Doves are replaced by a Beech 80 Queen Air and a Lake Buccaneer. Flights continue to link Honiara with Ringi Cove, Gizo, Munda, Sege, Mono, Balalae, Choiseul Bay, Barakoma, Auki, Parasi, Santa Cruz, Kira Kira, Bellona, Rennel, and Kieta. By 1977, enplanements total 21,458.
A route is extended to Espiritu Santo and Port Vila on April 7, 1978. When the new sovereign nation emerges from the former British protectorate, it indicates its intention to acquire 49% shareholding and to exercise its right to purchase the remaining 51% for a set price within five years, plus a goodwill figure to be negotiated.
Passenger boardings leap 26% to 28,997 for the year.
The number of employees is increased by 19.7% in 1979 to 91. In April, the government of the Solomon Islands purchases 49% shareholding. The fleet, which had comprised 2 Beech B-80 Queen Airs, 2 Beech Barons, and 1 Lake Buccaneer, is now upgraded by the addition of a Swearingen Metro II and two Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders.
Customer bookings accelerate 16.8% to 3,377 while freight is up 37.3% to 560 million FTKs. A $140,892 profit is earned on total income of $1.5 million.
Employing its partner’s BAC 1-11s, Solair joins with Air Pacific, Ltd. in April 1980 to introduce flights from Honiara to Brisbane. At the same time, twice-weekly services are inaugurated from Honiara to Ki-eta and to Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu, once known as the New Hebrides.
Traffic increases for the 106-employee carrier during the next three years. In 1981, a total of 46,200 travelers are enplaned. The figure grows to 51,200 in 1982 and 55,000 in 1983.
The fleet in 1984 also includes two de Havilland Canada DHC-6-200 Twin Otters and an Embraer EMB-110P1 Bandeirante leased from the parent. During the year, the government indicates its desire to purchase the remaining 51% stake; however, it will require three years of negotiation to settle on a price. During this period, staff morale declines and in
1985-1986, three general managers are appointed.
Finally, in 1987, Talair (Tourist Airlines of Niugini [Pty.], Ltd.), after taking back its leased aircraft, turns the company over to the Solomons for $1.4 million. Additional assets transferred include the Queen Air and Baron, two Islanders, an Avis-affiliated car rental firm called Pacific Car Rentals, and the inactive tour company Hunts of the Pacific, Ltd. John Rofeta is appointed chairman with Graham Hawthorne as managing director.
Early in 1988, A$2-million in orders are placed for a pair of new DHC-6-300 Twin Otters and the Baron is immediately replaced with a Piper PA-23 Aztec. New local destinations are now added, including Avu Avu, Ballalae, Fera, Marau, Mbambanakira, Onepusu, Seghe, Tu-lagi, and Yandina. An active program is launched to recruit new management and flying personnel.
In association with Qantas Airways (Pty), Ltd., scheduled international Boeing 737-2T5 services, employing an aircraft owned by Air Pacific, Ltd., are inaugurated weekly to Brisbane, Kieta, Lu-ganville, and Vila. Solair takes 15 seats aboard each flight for sale in its own name.
In 1989, the fleet comprises 1 Beech B-80, 1 DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, 1 Piper Aztec, and 2 BN-2 Islanders. A code-sharing agreement is signed with Air Pacific, Ltd. and a block of 15 seats is purchased for each of the Fijian airline’s weekly Nadi to Honiara services. Late in the year, Air Pacific, Ltd. informs Chairman Rofeta that it will soon replace its “Baby Boeing” with a B-767-200. The decision is now taken by Solair to acquire its own jetliner.
John Baura becomes general manager in 1990 as the marketing title Solomon Airlines, Ltd. is adopted. The carrier, despite its newly designed livery in the national colors of blue, yellow, and green, remains known as Solair to many.
A technical contract is signed with Air New Zealand, Ltd. and international services continue, now employing a former Malaysia Airlines, Ltd. B-737-2H6 christened Guadalcanal and chartered from ILFC. In August, a code-sharing agreement begins with Air Vanuatu; the Guadalcanal will be employed to operate dual-designator between Port Vila and Auckland via Nadi.
The fleet in 1991 includes 1 each B-737-2H6 and 2 DHC-6-300s. An order is placed for a B-737-4Q8.
While on a September 3 scheduled Solomon Islands service, a DHC-6-300 with 2 crew and 13 passengers crashes into Mount Nashua, Guadalcanal, at the 4,110-ft. level; there are no survivors.
Plans made earlier to retire the company’s two Islanders must be put on hold, as they are pressed into service to fill the capacity hole left with the loss of the Twin Otter.
In 1992 the government obtains complete control of its services and a B-737-4Q8, leased from ILFC, arrives at Honiara, setting a distance and endurance record on its multi-leg delivery flight in April. The new aircraft, also named Guadalcanal, enters service on May 19, at which time the carrier elects to return the B-737-2H6. Code-shared services are now inaugurated with Royal Tongan Airlines, Ltd. between Fiji, Tonga, and Auckland.
General Manager Baura is relieved in 1993 with Gideon Zolevele Jr. being temporarily placed in charge until the appointment of James Brad-field. The new Boeing begins direct services to Nadi and Cairns.
When the alliance with Royal Tongan Airlines, Ltd. expires in the spring, the Henderson Field-based flag carrier finds that its jetliner offers too much capacity. Consequently, a new arrangement will be required.
Flights between Nadi and Auckland end, leaving Solomon with a single weekly flight to and from New Zealand. Additionally, the Ho-niara-Brisbane-Cairns route is rearranged in order to eliminate 250 hours of flight time.
Services continue apace in 1994. Facing continued heavy losses from its carrier, the Solomon Islands government on April 1 asks Qantas Airways (Pty.), Ltd. to take over a number of Solomon Airlines’ services, using a Qantas B-737-376, plus the lease of a B-737-4Q8 chartered from ILFC.
Qantas agrees to operate the services, but does not immediately agree to transfer the lease. That view changes, however, as the Australian major assumes the lease of the B-737-4Q8, and wet-leases back to Solair one of its own B-737-376s, for use during 41 flying hours per week.
In October, a route - and code-sharing arrangement is entered into with the Papua New Guinea flag carrier Air Niugini (Pty.), Ltd. The latter, employing Fokker F.28s, relieves Solomon Airlines from its expensive twice-weekly roundtrip service from Port Moresby to Honiara. Another DHC-6-300 is leased from the Australian carrier Flight West Airlines (Pty.), Ltd. in November.
Flights continue in 1995-1998, with no change in fleet or mission. Marketing agreements continue with or are entered into with Qantas Airways (Pty.), Ltd., Air Niugini (Pty.), Ltd., Air Nauru, Air Pacific, and Air Vanuatu. Destinations visited include Auckland, Auki, Avu, Balalae, Bellona, Brisbane, Choiseul Bay, Fera Island, Gizo, Kira Kira, Marau Island, Mbambanakira, Melbourne, Mone, Munda, Nadi, Parasi, Port Moresby, Port Vila, Rennell, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz Island, Sege, Suavanao, Sydney, Viro, and Yandina.
Nearly two years after making application, General Manager Gideon Zoloveke Jr. is able to announce on March 24, 1999, that the engineering department of Solair has been certified by the joint agency of the European Union.
When a coup is attempted in the Solomon Islands on June 5, 2000, the carrier, not wishing any problems, temporarily suspends domestic and international operations. The B-737-376 remains in Australia.
A Britten Norman BN-2 Islander and its pilot are taken hostage by rebel militia groups on September 16. The flyer and his plane will be released by the end of the month; the $2-million ransom demand is not paid.
Flights to Brisbane, Fiji, and Vanuatu are resumed in early October.
SOLAR AIRLINES: United States (1964-1965). Solar is founded at Pecos, Texas, during the early fall of 1964 to offer scheduled passenger and cargo services over a route to New Mexico. Employing 2 Beech 18s, Solar begins daily roundtrips on October 27, linking its base to Roswell via Marta, Alpine, Fort Stockton, Monahans, Artesia, Dallas (DAL), Midland, and Hobbs. Overextended, the new commuter stops flying in 1965.
SOLID’AIR, S. A.: Rue de Luxembourg, Sandweiler, L-5230, Luxembourg; Phone 352 355 2201; Http://www. solidair. lu; Year Founded 1998. This new charter operation is established by Enor Aakrann at Luxembourg in the fall of 1998 to fly long-haul nonscheduled services to the U. S. and Caribbean. Chairman Aakrann leases an Airbus Industrie A310-304, which begins revenue flights on December 12.
Flights continue in 1999-2000, as another A310-304 is acquired and Mexico is added to the holiday route network.
SOLINAIR: Aerodrom Portoroz, Secovje, SL0066333, Slovenia; Phone 386 (6) 679 001; Fax 386 (6) 679 715; Code SOP; Year Founded 1992. Solinair is established at Ljubljana in early 1992 to offer regional services with a fleet of 1 Let 410, 1 PZL M.20, and 4 Piper PA-34 Senecas. The former is wet-leased from the Czech carrier Air Kitkovice.
Flights on behalf of Brussels-based European Air Transport, S. A. linking the company’s base with Vienna begin in April. Permission is sought for routes to Basel, Geneva, and Lugano. Operations continue.
World History
