Crash jet 11 years old
2004-01-03 15:33
Cairo - The Boeing 737-300 jet that crashed off the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh Saturday, killing all 148 on board, was one of two operated by Egyptian charter carrier Flash Airlines, both manufactured in 1993, according to the company's website.
The private Cairo-based firm is a "charter company licensed for non-scheduled commercial passenger flights on international and domestic routes," according to its website.
A company official said Flash was founded six years ago by Egyptian and Italian businessmen.
"Flash Airlines operates flights to all countries on short and medium haul destinations, having a base in Cairo and flying to all European cities."
It has two Boeing 737-300s, both manufactured in 1993.
The company said the aircraft bore Egyptian registrations delivered in February 2000 and June 2001. They were equipped with up-to-date computerized navigational instruments, CFM 56-3C1 engines had 148 economy class seats in addition to the operating cabin crew
"Flash Airlines' qualified pilots have a minimum of 5 000 hours flying time each, and long experience of flying domestically and internationally," it added.
"Fly in Style with Flash Airlines," headlined the website. "Safety and reliability are the motto of the company.,"