Aviateca
Encyclopedia
Aviateca was the state-owned flag carrier
of Guatemala
, headquartered in Guatemala City
. It is now a subsidiary of Grupo TACA
.
. In 1961, service to the United States
(Miami
) was originated with four engined Douglas DC-6
airliners. Convair 340/440 twin engined medium airliners were also acquired to replace the DC-3's on routes in Latin America
. Aviateca was a customer for the British Aerospace BAC 1-11 medium twin jet in 1970. It also leased temporarily a Fokker F-28, a Boeing 720
(N421MA) and a Douglas DC-8
in the 1970s. Aviateca acquired two Boeing 727
(TG ALA, TG-AYA) from Eastern Airlines later, which operated for the airline in the 1980s. From 1989 on Aviateca's fleet consisted of several Boeing 737-200 and Boeing 737-300
. A full cargo Boeing 737-300
was also operated for a few months.
Aviateca was under government ownership and remained so until 1989 when it joined the TACA
organised Airline Alliance of Central America and was privatised. It has now been fully integrated into TACA.
The aircraft were referred to by locals as "las papayas voladoras" (the flying papayas) due to the paint scheme used during the 1970s, in which the underbelly was painted a reddish orange. Later Aviateca switched to blue. From 2006 to 2007 Aviateca had a TACA Airbus A319
aircraft (N479TA)http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1172324&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N319-132&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=GNPN%20%28NIVNGRPN%29&QtODMg=Zvnzv%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28ZVN%20%2F%20XZVN%29&ERDLTkt=HFN%20-%20Sybevqn&ktODMp=Wnahnel%2011%2C%202007&BP=0&WNEb25u=Ora%20Jnat&xsIERvdWdsY=A479GN&MgTUQtODMgKE=Jvgu%20NIVNGRPN%20gvgyr%20ba%20gur%20ratvar.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=1583&NEb25uZWxs=2007-02-08%2017%3A44%3A50&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=2444&static=yes&width=1050&height=716&sok=JURER%20%20%28ert%20%3D%20%27A479GN%27%29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=2&prev_id=1262714&next_id=1137711]with the TACA-style Aviateca logo on the engines.
ATR-42s. http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=Aviateca&distinct_entry=true http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=&airlinesearch=&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=Aviateca+ATR&range=&sort_order=&page_limit=15&thumbnails=&calccount=1219118&truecount=false&engine_version=6.0
Flag carrier
A flag carrier is a transportation company, such as an airline or shipping company, that, being locally registered in a given country, enjoys preferential rights or privileges, accorded by the government, for international operations. It may be a state-run, state-owned or private but...
of Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, headquartered in Guatemala City
Guatemala City
Guatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
. It is now a subsidiary of Grupo TACA
Grupo TACA
TACA is the trade name "brand" comprising a group of five independently IATA-coded and -owned Central American airlines, whose operations are combined to function as one and a number of other independently owned and IATA-coded regional airlines which code-share and feed the TACA brand system...
.
History
The airline was established on 14 March 1945 as Empresa Guatemalteca de Aviación S. A., which was shortened to Aviateca. It was formed as the successor to Aerovías de Guatemala, which had been founded in 1929. Aviateca started operations in March 1946 and early aircraft operated by the carrier included the Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
. In 1961, service to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Miami
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
) was originated with four engined Douglas DC-6
Douglas DC-6
The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation in the long-range...
airliners. Convair 340/440 twin engined medium airliners were also acquired to replace the DC-3's on routes in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. Aviateca was a customer for the British Aerospace BAC 1-11 medium twin jet in 1970. It also leased temporarily a Fokker F-28, a Boeing 720
Boeing 720
The Boeing 720 is a four-engine narrow-body short- to medium-range passenger jet airliner. Developed by Boeing in the late 1950s from the Boeing 707, the 720 has a shorter fuselage and less range...
(N421MA) and a Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
in the 1970s. Aviateca acquired two Boeing 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
(TG ALA, TG-AYA) from Eastern Airlines later, which operated for the airline in the 1980s. From 1989 on Aviateca's fleet consisted of several Boeing 737-200 and Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
. A full cargo Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
was also operated for a few months.
Aviateca was under government ownership and remained so until 1989 when it joined the TACA
Grupo TACA
TACA is the trade name "brand" comprising a group of five independently IATA-coded and -owned Central American airlines, whose operations are combined to function as one and a number of other independently owned and IATA-coded regional airlines which code-share and feed the TACA brand system...
organised Airline Alliance of Central America and was privatised. It has now been fully integrated into TACA.
The aircraft were referred to by locals as "las papayas voladoras" (the flying papayas) due to the paint scheme used during the 1970s, in which the underbelly was painted a reddish orange. Later Aviateca switched to blue. From 2006 to 2007 Aviateca had a TACA Airbus A319
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
aircraft (N479TA)http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1172324&WxsIERv=Nveohf%20N319-132&Wm=0&WdsYXMg=GNPN%20%28NIVNGRPN%29&QtODMg=Zvnzv%20-%20Vagreangvbany%20%28ZVN%20%2F%20XZVN%29&ERDLTkt=HFN%20-%20Sybevqn&ktODMp=Wnahnel%2011%2C%202007&BP=0&WNEb25u=Ora%20Jnat&xsIERvdWdsY=A479GN&MgTUQtODMgKE=Jvgu%20NIVNGRPN%20gvgyr%20ba%20gur%20ratvar.&YXMgTUQtODMgKERD=1583&NEb25uZWxs=2007-02-08%2017%3A44%3A50&ODJ9dvCE=&O89Dcjdg=2444&static=yes&width=1050&height=716&sok=JURER%20%20%28ert%20%3D%20%27A479GN%27%29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=2&prev_id=1262714&next_id=1137711]with the TACA-style Aviateca logo on the engines.
Regional
TACA Regional (formerly Inter and operating under Aviateca's IATA code) has two TACA ATR-42 with Guatemalan registration (TG-MYH, TG-RYM)They have also purchased two additional ex Croatia AirlinesCroatia Airlines
Croatia Airlines d.d. is the national airline and flag carrier of the Republic of Croatia. Based in Buzin, Zagreb, the airline is a member of Star Alliance and operates domestic and international services. Its main base is Zagreb Airport, with focus cities being Dubrovnik and Split...
ATR-42s. http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?airlinesearch=Aviateca&distinct_entry=true http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?aircraft_genericsearch=&airlinesearch=&countrysearch=&specialsearch=&daterange=&keywords=Aviateca+ATR&range=&sort_order=&page_limit=15&thumbnails=&calccount=1219118&truecount=false&engine_version=6.0
Inflight Media
Maya Imperial was the Aviateca inflight magazine. And Live television or movie selection http://art-i-zen.com/print/magazines/aboard.htmlIncidents and accidents
- On 17 February 1975, Douglas C-47A TG-AMA was destroyed by fire at El Petén Airport, TikalTikalTikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centres of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. It is located in the archaeological region of the Petén Basin in what is now northern Guatemala...
. - On 18 November 1975, Douglas C-47 TG-AGA crashed within Petén Department whilst on a passenger flight from Uaxactun Airport to Flores International Airport, Santa ElenaSanta Elena, El PeténSanta Elena is located on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá in the Petén department of Guatemala. It is connected by a causeway to its sister town of Flores and the two are often referred to as just Flores. It is the location for Flores International Airport, which is located just outside the...
. - On 27 April 1977, Convair 240Convair 240The Convair CV-240 was an American airliner produced by Convair from 1947 to 1954, initially as a possible replacement of the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3. While featuring a more modern design, the 240 series was able to make some inroads as a commercial airliner and also had a long development cycle...
TG-ACA crashed near Guatemala CityGuatemala CityGuatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, GuatemalaGuatemalaGuatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
, killing all 28 people on board. - On 30 September 1977, Douglas C-47A TG-AKA was damaged beyond economic repair in a landing accident at Flores International Airport, Santa ElenaSanta Elena, El PeténSanta Elena is located on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá in the Petén department of Guatemala. It is connected by a causeway to its sister town of Flores and the two are often referred to as just Flores. It is the location for Flores International Airport, which is located just outside the...
. One of the three crew members was killed. - On 26 July 1978, Douglas DC-3Douglas DC-3The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
TG-AFA overran the runway at Flores International Airport following a birdstrike on take-off and was reported to have been damaged beyond economic repair. The aircraft was later repaired and returned to service. - On August 9, 1995, at approximately 2014 local time (0214 UTC August 10, 1995), a Boeing 737-200Boeing 737The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
(N125GU) was destroyed when it collided with the side of the San Vicente (Chichontepec) volcano, 15 miles northeast of San Salvador International Airport, San SalvadorSan SalvadorThe city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
. The flight, Aviateca Flight 901Aviateca Flight 901Aviateca Flight 901 was a Boeing 737-200 that crashed into the San Vicente in El Salvador on approach to the airport on 9 August 1995...
(GU901), was on an IFR flight plan from La Aurora International Airport, Guatemala CityGuatemala CityGuatemala City , is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America...
, Guatemala to Comalapa International Airport, San Salvador, El SalvadorEl SalvadorEl Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. All of the 7 crew members and 58 passengers were fatally injured. Severe weather existed at the time, and the aircraft had deviated from airway G436 to the north to avoid thunderstorms. The aircraft was owned by CIT Leasing Corporation and leased to Aviateca.Aviateca Flight 901Aviateca Flight 901Aviateca Flight 901 was a Boeing 737-200 that crashed into the San Vicente in El Salvador on approach to the airport on 9 August 1995...
Fleet
As of August 2006 the Aviateca fleet included:- 2 ATR 42-300ATR 42-Civil operators:The largest operators of the ATR-42 are FedEx Express, Airlinair, TRIP Linhas Aéreas,and Mexico City-based Aeromar respectively. Number of aircraft as of 2010:Some 70 other airlines operate smaller numbers of the type....
(under Guatemalan registration) - 1 Airbus A319Airbus A320 familyThe Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...