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1980s: Fleet modernisation and struggles


1980s: Fleet modernisation and struggles

The 1980s were a troublesome time for SAP. At this point, the airline was suffering ballooning losses as a result of rising oil prices and labour costs. In an effort to rationalise operating expenses and improve profitability, SAP terminated service to Australia in 1983.

In spite of these struggles, SAP stood out as one of the world's most reputable aircraft maintenance companies for foreign carriers, a bright spot that would help contribute to its survival during this turbulent decade.

This decade also marked the retirement of SAP's Boeing 707s in favor of newer Lockheed L-1011 TriStars and Airbus A310s on long-haul routes. In 1985 SAP established its charter subsidiary Transatlântico, which operated leisure flights to most European cities from a base at Faro Airport until being folded back into the parent company in 1993. By the late 1990s, SAP had renewed its fleet by selling its older Boeing 727s and Boeing 737s and replacing them with Airbus A319, A320 and A321 aircraft. The TriStars were sold to Air Luxor and were replaced by Airbus A340s, giving SAP an Airbus-majority fleet.

Registrations: CS-TEA (L-1011), CS-TEI (A310)
Aircraft names: Fernão de Magalhães (A310), Luís de Camões (L-1011)



    Different with the blue... I like it.

    i like it