Aviation History
Tunisian civil aviation began under French colonial administration with the 1940 opening of El Aouina airport near Tunis, and gained a national identity after independence through Tunisair, founded in 1948 and flying since 1949. Tunisian control over airports and air navigation was established via the Office of Tunisian Airports (OPAT) in 1970, later reorganized as the Tunisian Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (OACA) in 1998. Since the late 1980s a private charter sector, led by Nouvelair, has grown alongside Tunisair to serve the country's large European tourism market.
Tunisia's first airport begins operating near Tunis, initially run entirely by French colonial authorities.
Société Tunisienne de l'Air is established, jointly owned by the Tunisian government, Air France, and other investors.
Scheduled operations start with Douglas DC-3 aircraft, taking over domestic routes previously flown by Air France.
Following independence, the state becomes Tunisair's largest shareholder at 51%, reducing Air France's holding.
Tunisair takes delivery of the Sud Aviation Caravelle III, its first jet-powered aircraft.
The Office of Tunisian Airports (OPAT) is formed, the first aviation body run entirely by Tunisians, transferring airport management away from French control.
Established initially as Air Liberté Tunisie, Nouvelair goes on to become Tunisia's leading private and charter carrier.
OPAT is reorganized into the Tunisian Civil Aviation and Airports Authority (OACA), the modern regulator overseeing the country's international airports.
Tunisair inaugurates Tunis–Montreal service, its first scheduled transatlantic route.
Tunisair · Nouvelair · Tunisair Express · Karthago Airlines (defunct)
Wikipedia, Tunisair corporate history, OACA