The Vatican has established a charter airline, apparently using two Mistral Airlines Boeing 737s on an (apparently) ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) charter signed for five years, according to einnews and The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/pope/story/0%2C%2C2148946%2C00.html).

The first flight has taken place at 0930 August 27, 2007, to Lourdes, France. Other destinations are said to include Fatima in Portugal, Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Czestochowa in Poland, and (presumably with other, transatlantic-capable aircraft) to Mexico City for the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe north of that city.

The aircraft will be purpose-decorated, with ""I'm Searching for Your Face, Lord" on seats and headrests, and the colour scheme will reflect the blue and gold Vatican colours - which coincidentally Mistral Airlines already sports. Mistral is currently owned by the Italian Post Office, and flys the mails at night; the aircraft would have seating and amenities installed for the charter flights. The intent is to reduce the cost of pilgrimage travel for faithful people.


BBC link Aug 27 2007 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6958921.stm) and another Aug 27 BBC link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6965124.stm)