1960: De Havilland has achieved a significant milestone, selling Comet jet aircraft worth €10 million in a single week—one of the strongest performances in the British aircraft industry’s history.
These new jets, with a capacity of 80 passengers, are set to operate routes to and from Cyprus, with flight durations to London at about six and a half hours.
Middle East Airways has purchased four Comets and secured an option for a fifth. Additionally, Olympic Airways, owned by Aristotle Onassis, acquired three Comets. However, these aircraft will carry British registration numbers and be leased to British European Airways (BEA), which is listed as their official owner.
The agreement highlights a “curious twist” in the BEA-Olympic pooling arrangement. British regulations require airlines to base operations within Her Majesty’s Dominions and maintain a board where two-thirds of the directors, including the chairman, are British nationals. Since Olympic Airways is headquartered in Greece, BEA registers and owns the aircraft under these guidelines, allowing them to comply with aviation rules.
Interested in Cyprus aviation history? Check out our feature on the old Larnaca Airport!