Air São Tomé and Príncipe
Encyclopedia
Air São Tomé and Príncipe (Linhas Aéreas de São Tomé e Príncipe) was an airline
based in São Tomé
, São Tomé and Príncipe
. It operated scheduled services within the islands and to neighbouring Gabon
. Its main base was São Tomé International Airport
. It lost its only aircraft in an accident in 2006.
(40%), government of São Tomé and Príncipe (35%) and Mistral Voyages (1%).
, crashed in Ana Chaves Bay
in the north east of São Tomé Island
during a training flight. There were four fatalities, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. http://www.jornal.st/noticias.php?noticia=1839
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based in São Tomé
São Tomé
-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...
, São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about apart and about , respectively, off...
. It operated scheduled services within the islands and to neighbouring Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
. Its main base was São Tomé International Airport
São Tomé International Airport
São Tomé International Airport is an airport located on São Tomé Island, from the city of São Tomé. It is the main airport serving São Tomé and Príncipe.-Facilities:...
. It lost its only aircraft in an accident in 2006.
History
The airline was established and started operations on 1 October 1993. It replaced the former flag carrier Equatorial International Airlines. It was owned by TAP PortugalTAP Portugal
TAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
(40%), government of São Tomé and Príncipe (35%) and Mistral Voyages (1%).
Services
Air São Tomé and Príncipe operated the following services (at January 2005):- Domestic scheduled destinations: PríncipePríncipePríncipe is the northern and smaller of the two major islands of the country of São Tomé and Príncipe lying off the west coast of Africa. It has an area of 136 km² and a population of approximately 5,000. The island is a heavily eroded volcano over three million years old, surrounded by other...
and São ToméSão Tomé-Transport:São Tomé is served by São Tomé International Airport with regular flights to Europe and other African Countries.-Climate:São Tomé features a tropical wet and dry climate with a relatively lengthy wet season and a short dry season. The wet season runs from October through May while the...
. - International scheduled destinations: LibrevilleLibrevilleLibreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon, in west central Africa. The city is a port on the Komo River, near the Gulf of Guinea, and a trade center for a timber region. As of 2005, it has a population of 578,156.- History :...
.
Incidents and accidents
On May 23, 2006, Air São Tomé and Príncipe's only aircraft, a DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter
The DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
, crashed in Ana Chaves Bay
Ana Chaves Bay
Ana Chaves Bay is the harbour and port to the capital city of São Tomé in São Tomé and Príncipe. In 2011, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe granted a long-term concession to Angolan state oil company Sonangol to control and develop the port in which Sonangol have been reported to have...
in the north east of São Tomé Island
São Tomé Island
São Tomé Island, at , is the largest island of São Tomé and Príncipe and is home in 2009 to about 157,000 or 96% of the nation's population. This island and smaller nearby islets make up São Tomé Province, which is divided into six districts. The main island is located 2 km north of the...
during a training flight. There were four fatalities, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. http://www.jornal.st/noticias.php?noticia=1839
Fleet
Air São Tomé and Príncipe operated :- 1 DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
registration S9-BAL, offered by TAP PortugalTAP PortugalTAP Portugal, commonly known as TAP, is the national airline of Portugal. It has its head office in Building 25 on the grounds of Portela Airport in Lisbon, and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 14 March 2005, the same day on which the company celebrated its 60th anniversary...
, and crashed during 2006.