Sabena Boeing 747s with four-engined Airbus A340. After the liberalisation of the airline industry throughout Europe and the economic consequences of the Gulf War, the Belgian government, the main shareholder of the company, realized that Sabena had little chance of surviving on its own in this very competitive market, and began searching for a suitable partner. Sabena remained in a poor financial state, and year after year the Belgian government had to cover losses, however, it was however prevented from providing new funds due to EU State Aid rules. Around 1987, SAS tried to merge with the carrier, but the merger
Mauritania Airlines Mauritania Airlines Mauritania Airlines previously Mauritania Airlines International, is an airline based in Nouakchott, Mauritania, serving as flag carrier of the country. The company was set up in December 2010 in response to the demise of Mauritania Airways. In April 2018, it was announced the airline has rebranded from Mauritania Airlines International to Mauritania Airlines. Mauritania Airlines has its base at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC). The company operates short- and medium-haul flights. Short-haul flights are mainly national connections between the Mauritanian airports and some flights to other West African countries. The airline was on the EU "blacklist" until December 2012,