note
National airline of Hungary was founded in March 1946 with the help of Soviet Union Government. The original airline's name Magyar Szovjet Legiforgalmi Tarsasag reflected this fact.
Operations started with war surplus Lisunov LI-2 (licensed version of Douglas DC-3) in October 1946.
In November 1954 new name was adopted Magyar Legikoz Vallalat or MALEV for short. In its beginning some domestic routes were flown, but because Hungary is a small country, most of MALEV works is abroad. MALEV connects European capitals with Budapest. This network was already developed in 1950s. In 1960 first turboprop aircraft joined the fleet - an Ilyushin IL-18. First pure jet, a Tupolev Tu-134, arrived in 1968. This type, together with Tupolev Tu-154 which began to arrive in 1973 formed backbone of MALEVs fleet throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1987, MALEV became first Warsaw Pack airline to operate western built jets when second hand Boeing 737 classic arrived. The lively livery that was adopted for this occasion remains unchanged to this date.
After MALEV became democratic country in 1990, radical fleet modernization occurred. Boeing 737s, 767s, Fokker F70s and later Canadair CRJs and DHC-8-400s replaced aging Tupolevs and Ilyushins. With the arrival of Boeing 767, MALEV could re-introduce long-haul routes. New York, Chicago, Beijing and Bangkok were added to its network. MALEV has since cut its long-haul network and relies on its partners in Oneworld alliance with code-share agreements. MALEV operates extensive network in Balkans and also serves Larnaca, Tel Aviv, Damascus and Beirut in the middle east. Company was loosing money and ceased operations on February 3rd 2012.
founded - demised (age)
March 29 1946 - February 3 2012 (66)
headquarters
Roosevelt ter 2 H-1051, Budapest
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (1)
