Abstract: There is described a packaging apparatus (1) for forming sealed packages (2) from a tube (3). The packaging apparatus (1) has an endless conveyor device (7) arranged in a conveyor zone (8), conveying carts (9) and operative units (10, 10?) moved by the plurality of conveying carts (9) along a path (P, Q). Each operative unit (10, 10?) moves between an operative configuration, in which the operative unit (10, 10?) manipulates the tube (3) and a rest configuration in which the operative unit (10, 10?) is detached from the tube (3). Each operative unit (10, 10?) has a half-shell (36) and one of a sealing element (37a) or a counter-sealing element (37b) and each operative unit (10, 10?) is carried by one respective conveying cart (9) and extends laterally away therefrom so that the conveyor zone (8) is laterally spaced apart from an operative zone (33) where the tube is manipulated.