The Airchive-Eurasia/Middle East Timetables

		Azerbaijan - 2000 Following the independence of Azerbaijan and the contracting of Aeroflot, the airline was formed in 1992 using TU-134 and TU-154s. It has since been re-equipping with western equipment.
		Emirates - 1996 Emirates is a bona fide success story at barely over 10 years old. Modeling itself after, Singapore Airlines, Emirates is already one of the world's world class airlines. With oil reserves projected to be depleted in twenty years, the UAE is establishing itself as a business and tourism destination. The emergence of Emirates to this high echelon is central to the entire ambition. Emirates made huge news in 2000 becoming the launch customer for the Airbus A-380 SuperJumbo. Emirates ordered 20 with an option for a further 20, the largest order of any carrier. Due to its engine choice, however, it will not be the first operator.
		Emirates - 2000
		Emirates - 2003 Not even 20 years old, Emirates is nothing short of a phenomena. In advance to the diminishinment of oil reserves in the country, the UAE government is pursuing a strategy similar to Singapore in making Dubai a business and tourism center. Key to this plan is establishing Emirates as a world class international airline and Dubai as a hub, something that is well on the way to happenning. Emirates already offers an extraordinary level of inflight service with ultramodern Airbus equipment. In 2004, the airline will inagurate first time services to New York and in 2006 will be the launch customer for the A380 SuperJumbo with orders and options for 40 aircraft. courtesy: Martin Moser
		Emirates - 2004 The big news for 2004 is Emirates' launching of nonstop New York to Dubai flights. The ultra long range A340-500 is the equipment of choice on this prestige route.
		Emirates Brochure - 2004


		Gulf Air and Gulf Traveler - 2004 Gulf Air is the national carrier of Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The airline, headquartered in Barhain, is in the process of a major fleet and service update to better compete, particulalry with Emirates. Gulf Air launched a lower-cost airline, Gulf Traveler, in 2003.
		Iran Air - 2000 Iran Air still was founded in 1962 with the fusion of Iranian Airways and Persian Airways. A major airline until Khomeni's ascent into power, Iran Air was a skeleton of itself by the mid 1980s. A modernization program began in 1989 with Airbus and Fokker equipment beginning to replace elderly Boeing jets.
		Iran Air - 2001 At one time prior to the 1979 revolution, Iran Air was one of the worlds most progressive airlines. It has been a long road back to viability since then. Because of embargoes, the airline has prohibited from obtaining new western aircraft forcing it to operate an elderly fleet of Boeing 727s, 737s, and even 747SPs, as well as early Airbus A300-B4s. Recent thawing of relations with the west have allowed leases to be taken up of late model A320s. courtesy: Martin Moser
		Iraqi Air - 1979 Like Iran Air, Iraqi was a well respected Middle Eastern airline. It operated, and still does, an all Boeing fleet. The elderly fleet consistes of 727s, 737s, and 747s mostly more than 25 years old, except for some recent leases to replace bombed out aircraft at Baghdad. courtesy: Scott Grant
		Middle East Airlines - 2000 MEA was founded in 1945, with Pan Am holding a partial stake. The airline was among the last operator of Caravelles and Boeing 720s. It has now re-equipped with a largely Airbus fleet. The airline's fortunes have risen and fallen with that of its Lebanese homeland. Famously, much of the fleet was bombed and destroyed by Israel during an attack on Beiruit Airport in 1968. MEA has since returned to stability.
		Royal Jordanian Airlines - 2003

		South African Airlines - 1993 SAA was still a pariah on the international airline scene due to South Africa's nefarious Apratheid policy. The airline itself was suffering and bloated, despite good service and staff. Special Thanks to: James Little
		South African Airlines - 2004 As South Africa opened up to the world, SAA become a world class airline in the late 1990s. It switched from Sky Team to the One World Alliance and is in the process of converting to an all Airbus fleet. Until 2000, SAA operated the world's longest scheduled flight, New York to Capetown.
		Ukranian International Airlines - 1996 UIA was founded as replacement for Aeroflot following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. UIA operates mainly 737s from its Kiev base to destinations in Eastern and Western Europe.
		Ukranian International Airlines - 2003
		Zimbabwe - 1996
		Ukranian International Airlines - 2003