Middle East Airlines: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Founded on May 31, 1945, Middle East Airlines (IATA Airline Code : ME / ICAO Airline Code : MEA), is the national flag-carrier of Lebanon. Operational and technical support was given by BOAC along with three de Havilland DH.89A Rapides in the beginning. Two Douglas DC-3 was then acquired in mid-1946. First flight of Beirut - Nicosia was commenced on November 30, 1946, followed by flight to Iraq, Egypt, Syria and Cyprus.

BOAC took 49% of MEA's share in 1955. Vickers Viscount was introduced in October, 1955 while Avro Yorks cargo aircraft was leased in June 1957. On December 15, 1960, First of four de Havilland Comet 4B was arrived.

MEA merge with Air Liban on June 7, 1963 after association with BOAC ended on August 16, 1961. 30% of share was later owned by Air France.

Fleet was modernised by adding 3 Sud Aviation Caravelles (in April 1963), 3 Boeing 720B (in January 1966), 1 leased Vickers VC-10 (in March 1967) and number of Boeing 707-320C (from November 1967).

Although operation was interrupted by Arab-Isreal war, MEA restarted by acquiring Convair CV-990A from American Airlines, which entered service on June 24, 1969. Boeing 747-200B entered service in June 1975 on Beirut - London route.

Operation was interruped again until 1990, while the political situation is stabilised. Airbus A310-300s was acquired in 1993 and 1994. Followed by A321-200 and A330-200 (which replace the A310s).

The airline now operating a all-Airbus fleet and have build a network in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Gulf.

Destinations

Europe

• Athens
• Frankfurt
• Geneva
• Istanbul
• London
• Paris
• Rome

Africa

• Abidjan
• Accra
• Kano
• Lagos

The Gulf

• Abu Dhabi
• Dhahran
• Dubai
• Jeddah
• Kuwait
• Riyadh

Middle East

• Amman
• Cairo
• Larnaca