Air Charter International Airbus A320
Air Charter International was formed as Societe Aerienne Francaise d’Affretements (SAFA) in 1966, as an inclusive tour and charter airline for the European holiday season. It was owned entirely by Air France, though Air Inter would acquire a share later on. Flying Sud-Aviation Caravelles leased from Air France, SAFA flew from Paris to points in the Mediterranean on a charter basis.
In 1971, SAFA changed its name to Air Charter International (ACI) and began flying charter services to North America as well, using leased Air France Boeing 747s. ACI’s popularity grew, and by the early 1990s, it had switched to an all-Airbus fleet. However, when Air France acquired Air Inter in 1998, there was no real reason to keep ACI in operation, and it was disestablished that same year.
This A320, F-GLGE, shows ACI's last livery before the airline was shut down. This aircraft, delivered to ACI in 1994, would go through several more charter airlines before it was retired in 2011.
Air Charter International Airbus A320
Air Charter International was formed as Societe Aerienne Francaise d’Affretements (SAFA) in 1966, as an inclusive tour and charter airline for the European holiday season. It was owned entirely by Air France, though Air Inter would acquire a share later on. Flying Sud-Aviation Caravelles leased from Air France, SAFA flew from Paris to points in the Mediterranean on a charter basis.
In 1971, SAFA changed its name to Air Charter International (ACI) and began flying charter services to North America as well, using leased Air France Boeing 747s. ACI’s popularity grew, and by the early 1990s, it had switched to an all-Airbus fleet. However, when Air France acquired Air Inter in 1998, there was no real reason to keep ACI in operation, and it was disestablished that same year.
This A320, F-GLGE, shows ACI's last livery before the airline was shut down. This aircraft, delivered to ACI in 1994, would go through several more charter airlines before it was retired in 2011.