TAME
TAME (Transportes Aéreos Militares Ecuatorianos), commonly known as TAME Línea Aérea del Ecuador, was the flag carrier and largest airline of Ecuador, operating from 1962 until its liquidation in 2020.[1][2] Established on December 17, 1962, by the Ecuadorian Air Force as a military transport service, TAME transitioned into a state-owned commercial airline in 2011, providing full-service domestic and international passenger and cargo flights across South America, North America, and the Caribbean.[2][3] Its primary hub was Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, with a secondary focus city at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, serving key routes to destinations like Miami, New York, Bogotá, Lima, and domestic cities such as Cuenca and Loja.[3] Over its nearly six-decade history, TAME's fleet evolved from early propeller aircraft like the Douglas DC-3 and DC-6 to modern jets including Airbus A319/A320/A330, Boeing 737s, and Embraer E-Jets, supporting Ecuador's connectivity, tourism, and economic growth.[2][3] The airline faced mounting financial challenges in the 2010s, accumulating losses exceeding $400 million between 2015 and 2020 due to high operational costs, competition, and mismanagement, which were severely worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic leading to flight suspensions.[2] On May 19, 2020, Ecuador's government announced TAME's liquidation, marking the end of the country's national carrier and leaving a void in domestic aviation filled temporarily by foreign and regional operators like LATAM and Avianca Ecuador.[3][4] Despite its closure, TAME remains a significant chapter in Ecuadorian aviation history, having transported millions of passengers and symbolized national pride in air travel.[2]History
Establishment and early years (1962–1980)
TAME was established on December 17, 1962, by the Ecuadorian Air Force as Transportes Aéreos Militares Ecuatorianos (TAME), a military-affiliated airline aimed at delivering civilian air transport services through the utilization of surplus military aircraft.[2] This initiative addressed the lack of a dedicated civilian carrier in Ecuador at the time, leveraging the Air Force's resources to enhance national connectivity.[5] The airline's inaugural commercial flight occurred shortly after its formation, on December 4, 1962, operated with a Douglas C-47 from Quito to Guayaquil, marking the start of domestic passenger services. Initially, TAME's fleet consisted primarily of Douglas DC-3 and C-47 aircraft, which were repurposed from military use to serve key domestic routes linking major cities such as Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Esmeraldas, as well as more remote areas to promote economic and social integration.[2] These propeller-driven planes enabled reliable operations in Ecuador's diverse terrain, supporting both passenger transport and occasional military logistics needs.[5] By 1966, TAME expanded into international operations, inaugurating scheduled flights to Havana in Cuba, Panama City in Panama, and Santiago de Chile using Douglas DC-6 aircraft, which offered greater capacity for longer routes.[2] As Ecuador's de facto flag carrier in the absence of a private civilian airline, TAME played a crucial role in fostering international links while continuing to prioritize domestic coverage and assisting with Air Force logistical requirements in isolated regions.[6] Key developments in the 1970s included the acquisition of turboprops such as the Hawker Siddeley HS-748 in 1970 and Lockheed L-188 Electra in 1974–1975, enhancing capacity on domestic and regional routes. The airline entered the jet age with the acquisition of Boeing 727-100 aircraft in the late 1970s to early 1980s, improving speed and efficiency on busier routes. By 1980, TAME had grown to serve all major domestic destinations, solidifying its position as the primary provider of air travel within Ecuador and laying the groundwork for further modernization.[5]Expansion and modernization (1980s–2000s)
In the 1980s, TAME shifted toward enhanced civilian commercial operations under its ongoing military oversight by the Ecuadorian Air Force, focusing on jet aircraft to extend its reach on longer domestic and emerging regional international routes. The airline introduced the Boeing 737-200 in 1981, which became a key workhorse for efficient short- to medium-haul flights across Ecuador's diverse terrain.[5] This was complemented by the acquisition of Boeing 727-100 jets between 1984 and 1985, enabling service to more distant points and initial forays into neighboring countries.[5] Key fleet developments continued with the addition of three Fokker F28 Fellowship turboprops in the mid-1980s, optimized for medium-haul domestic sectors with high-altitude performance suited to Ecuador's Andean airports. By the 1990s, TAME pursued efficiency gains through the purchase of Boeing 727-230 advanced variants from 1991 to 1999, replacing older models and supporting sustained growth amid economic stability.[5] These upgrades allowed the airline to maintain reliable operations on core routes while gradually incorporating cargo alongside passenger services, bolstering national connectivity.[2] International expansion gained momentum in the late 1980s and 1990s, with regular services to regional hubs such as Panama City and Cali in Colombia, leveraging the extended range of its Boeing fleet.[5] By the 2000s, TAME renewed its fleet with the leasing of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft starting in 2003, phasing out aging Boeing tri-jets to improve fuel efficiency and passenger comfort on high-demand routes.[7] The incorporation of Embraer ERJ-170 and ERJ-190 regional jets in 2006 further modernized operations, targeting shorter regional links and enhancing flexibility for tourism-driven travel.[3] Corporate evolution included partial commercialization initiatives in the late 2000s, alongside branding refreshes such as a simplified livery adopted around 2010 to project a more modern, civilian-oriented identity. By the mid-2000s, TAME's route network peaked at over 15 domestic destinations—including key cities like Quito, Guayaquil, and Galápagos islands—and approximately 5-7 international points, primarily in South America and the Caribbean, playing a vital role in promoting Ecuadorian tourism and facilitating cargo transport for local economies.[2]Financial difficulties and liquidation (2010s–2020)
In 2011, TAME transitioned from being a subsidiary of the Ecuadorian Air Force to an independent state-owned enterprise, a change intended to grant it greater commercial autonomy but which ultimately exposed it to intensified market pressures without sufficient financial safeguards.[2] By the late 2010s, TAME had accumulated cumulative losses exceeding $400 million over the previous five years, driven primarily by escalating fuel costs, aggressive competition from low-cost carriers entering the Ecuadorian market, and challenges in managing an aging and inefficient fleet.[2][8] These issues prompted operational cutbacks, including the suspension of its U.S. routes in early 2019 due to non-compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) requirements and ongoing financial strains.[9] Efforts to restructure, such as route reductions and attempts to sell non-essential assets, proved insufficient to stem the tide of deficits.[10] The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a decisive blow in 2020, causing a drastic revenue plunge as global travel restrictions took hold; TAME suspended all flights starting in March, furloughed employees, and could not recover amid the sharp drop in passenger demand.[2] On May 19, 2020, the Ecuadorian government issued a decree to dissolve the airline as part of broader austerity measures to curb public spending by $4 billion, citing TAME's unsustainable losses and the national economic crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.[8] The liquidation process involved appointing a receiver to manage asset sales, with the government committing to maintain essential domestic routes lacking private alternatives—such as Quito to Esmeraldas, Lago Agrio, and Loja—through transfers to other carriers.[8] By 2023, the process remained incomplete, with less than 50% of assets liquidated; notable sales included auctions of Embraer E190 aircraft in December 2023, though liabilities totaling around $373 million far outstripped recoverable assets of approximately $34 million.[11][12] As of 2024, the liquidation of TAME continued as part of ongoing processes for several state-owned enterprises.[13] Debt settlements with creditors proceeded slowly via these auctions, while some international slots were reassigned to private operators to preserve connectivity.[14]Operations
Hubs and bases
TAME's primary operational base and headquarters were located at Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, which functioned as the main hub and central transfer point for the majority of the airline's domestic and international flights.[1][15] The secondary hub was José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, which managed substantial volumes of domestic traffic and some international connections.[16] In its initial years, TAME relied on Ecuadorian Air Force facilities, including the Mariscal Sucre Air Base in Quito, for operations and maintenance.[5] The airline also operated smaller stations in regional cities such as Cuenca and Loja to facilitate local connectivity and ground handling for shorter routes. TAME's network emphasized linkages between the Andean highlands around Quito and the coastal areas via Guayaquil, supporting efficient passenger and cargo flows across Ecuador.Destinations and routes
TAME's domestic network provided extensive coverage across Ecuador, connecting more than 15 cities at its operational peak in the early 2010s. The airline's flagship route between Quito and Guayaquil operated with multiple daily flights, serving as the backbone of its operations and facilitating the majority of domestic passenger traffic, including business travel between the capital and the coastal commercial hub. Other key domestic destinations included Cuenca, Manta, Esmeraldas, Loja, Lago Agrio, Coca, Machala, Portoviejo, and Baltra in the Galápagos Islands, where TAME offered regular charter and scheduled services to support tourism to the archipelago.[16][17][18] Internationally, TAME expanded to a peak of around 10 destinations, primarily focused on Latin America and the United States to accommodate migrant and leisure travel. Notable routes included Quito and Guayaquil to Cali in Colombia, Panama City in Panama, Havana in Cuba, Lima in Peru, and Buenos Aires in Argentina, alongside U.S. services to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and New York. The introduction of direct Quito-New York flights in 2017 marked a significant development, enhancing connectivity for Ecuadorian communities in the U.S.[16][19][20] Route contractions began in the mid-2010s amid economic and political challenges. TAME suspended services to Venezuela in October 2017 due to operational limitations and payment issues at Simón Bolívar International Airport. Similarly, the Quito-New York route was temporarily halted in February 2019 owing to aircraft leasing terminations and financial pressures. At its height in the 2010s, TAME handled approximately 2.5 million passengers annually, with a strong emphasis on leisure travel to beach and Amazon regions via seasonal and charter flights to destinations like Manta, Esmeraldas, Coca, and Lago Agrio.[21][22][23] These routes were occasionally extended through brief codeshare partnerships, allowing access to additional cities beyond TAME's direct network.[16]Codeshare agreements and alliances
TAME established its first codeshare agreement with EVA Air in 1997, enabling transpacific connections via Taipei to destinations in Asia and Europe.[24] In 2010, TAME entered a major codeshare partnership with Copa Airlines, which facilitated seamless transfers in Panama City to over 80 destinations across the Americas.[25][26] TAME also maintained informal arrangements with LATAM and Avianca to support connectivity on South American routes, though it held no formal membership in global alliances such as Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam.[27] These partnerships expanded access for TAME passengers to more than 100 additional cities, including reciprocal benefits for frequent flyer programs and coordinated baggage handling.[25] The agreement with EVA Air lapsed during the 2010s, while the Copa Airlines partnership remained active until TAME's liquidation in 2020.[28]Fleet
Fleet evolution
TAME's fleet began with propeller aircraft in the early 1960s, primarily consisting of over 10 Douglas DC-3 and C-47 models sourced from the Ecuadorian Air Force for short-haul domestic operations.[5][29] These versatile twin-engine planes supported initial routes across Ecuador's rugged terrain.[30] By the mid-1960s, the airline expanded with four Douglas DC-6B four-engine propliners, introduced around 1963 and retired by 1974, enabling longer domestic and early international services thanks to their pressurized cabins and range exceeding 4,000 miles.[5][2] In 1970, TAME acquired Hawker Siddeley HS-748 turboprops. Between 1974 and 1975, the airline acquired Lockheed L-188 Electra aircraft to further modernize short- and medium-haul capabilities.[2][5][29] In 1975, TAME introduced three de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft for operations to remote Ecuadorian destinations.[5][3] The shift to jet aircraft marked the late 1970s and 1980s, with Boeing 727-100 and -200 trijets—up to eight units acquired between 1984 and 1992—serving as the backbone for international routes.[2][5][29] For domestic flights, TAME introduced Boeing 737-200 narrowbodies in 1981, though operations were limited.[3] The fleet also incorporated two Fokker F28 Fellowship jets in 1985 for lower-demand regional services.[30] A single Boeing 757-200 joined briefly in 1999 to support route expansion before quick retirement.[31] The 2000s brought comprehensive modernization, phasing out older Boeings in favor of the Airbus A320 family; eight A320-200s entered service starting in 2003, followed by four A319-100s from 2008, totaling 12 units by 2010.[3] Regional operations gained five Embraer ERJ-190s and two ERJ-170s from 2006 onward.[3][5] In 2011, TAME added three ATR 42-500 turboprops for efficient service to remote Ecuadorian airports.[32][5] An experimental long-haul venture occurred in 2013 with the lease of one Airbus A330-200 to trial nonstop flights to New York City, which operated until retirement in 2019 due to prohibitive fuel and maintenance costs.[3][2] Amid escalating financial difficulties in the 2010s, TAME progressively retired legacy jets like the Boeing 727s and early Embraers, with the fleet peaking at around 22 aircraft during this modernization phase.[2] The composition of the final active fleet at cessation in 2020 is outlined in the subsequent section.Final fleet at cessation
At the time of its operational cessation in March 2020, TAME's fleet consisted of five aircraft, which were subsequently grounded by May 2020 amid the airline's liquidation process.[6] This reduced fleet reflected years of downsizing, focusing on narrow-body jets and regional turboprops suited to Ecuador's domestic and short-haul needs. No wide-body aircraft remained in service, as larger types like the Airbus A330 had been phased out earlier due to financial constraints.[3] The fleet included one Airbus A319-100 (registration HC-CGT), delivered in August 2008 and approximately 11.5 years old at cessation, primarily utilized for medium-haul domestic routes such as those connecting Quito to secondary cities.[33] Complementing this was one Airbus A320-200 (registration HC-CPB), delivered in February 2014 and about 6 years old, serving as the workhorse for high-density routes like Quito-Guayaquil with a configuration accommodating 150 passengers in a single economy class.[34] These narrow-body jets provided efficient operations on TAME's core network, emphasizing reliability over long-range capabilities. For regional connectivity, TAME operated three ATR 42-500 turboprops (registrations HC-CMB, HC-CMH, and HC-CLT), each delivered between October and November 2011 and averaging 8.5 years of age.[3] Configured for 48 passengers, these aircraft were ideal for short, low-volume routes to remote Ecuadorian destinations, offering cost-effective service in challenging terrain.[35] In the lead-up to cessation, the fleet experienced reduced utilization in 2019–2020 owing to route suspensions and financial cutbacks, limiting operations to essential domestic services.[6] Following liquidation, all five aircraft were stored at Quito's Mariscal Sucre International Airport.[3] They were progressively sold or returned to lessors between 2020 and 2023 as part of efforts to recover outstanding debts exceeding $400 million, with examples including the A319 being returned to its lessor in August 2020 and later scrapped.[33][2]| Aircraft Type | Number | Registration(s) | Average Age (March 2020) | Primary Use | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 1 | HC-CGT | 11.5 years | Medium domestic routes | ~144 passengers |
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 | HC-CPB | 6 years | High-density domestic routes (e.g., Quito-Guayaquil) | 150 passengers |
| ATR 42-500 | 3 | HC-CMB, HC-CMH, HC-CLT | 8.5 years | Short regional routes | 48 passengers each |