Summary
- Ecuacondor, a brand new startup airline in Ecuador, is nearing its launch date and has plans to serve multiple domestic and international destinations.
- The airline is paying homage to TAME, the previous state carrier, with its ambitious route map and plans for charter operations.
- Ecuacondor’s first aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ-200, has arrived in Mexico for maintenance and painting before joining the fleet. Nevertheless, past failed startups in Ecuador may pose a challenge for the brand new airline’s success.
Ecuador is about to have a brand new airline in the next months. Ecuacondor, a startup, is nearing its launching date. The corporate has revealed a number of the routes it would love to operate and the fleet it could employ to serve these destinations. Actually, a couple of days ago, it was announced that its first plane was undergoing a maintenance check and a painting process. But what will we know concerning the latest company?
Ecuacondor – how was it born?
The Ecuadorian aviation journalist first announced that a brand new startup began the strategy of launching in 2022. Based in Quito, the corporate is seeking to operate as a domestic company within the South American country. It has also recently obtained permission to operate as a charter company serving various international destinations from Guayaquil International Airport (GYE).
In accordance with Nicolás Larenas, an Ecuadorian aviation journalist, the brand new company has an ambitious plan to serve many destinations across Ecuador. To some extent, the corporate’s route map reminds him of TAME, the previous State carrier that ceased operations in 2020 resulting from unsurmountable debt.
From Guayaquil, they’re planning to serve these domestic destinations: Cuenca, Loja, Esmeralda, and Quito, with as much as 14 weekly flights. They plan to fly from Quito to Cuenca, Loja, Santa Rosa, Coca, Esmeraldas, Manta, and more.
Internationally, it has been reported that the corporate could fly to destinations akin to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Aruba, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and more. Charter operations would cover these destinations, starting with flights to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Easy Flying reached the airline’s general manager, Alberto López, for comment. We didn’t receive a response before publishing this text.
The fleet
Ecuacondor’s first aircraft might be a Bombardier CRJ-200 with a capability for 50 passengers. This aircraft, whose registration could possibly be N8884E, arrived at Saltillo International Airport (SLW) in Mexico on October 28 at around 12:11.
Photo: Tupungato | Shutterstock.
While the official registration has not been revealed, data from Flightradar24 shows a CRJ-200LR registration N8884E landed in Saltillo last week. Endeavor Air last operated this aircraft for Delta Air Lines in the US in 2020. The plane was delivered to Pinnacle Airlines in December 2003, meaning it is sort of 20 years old. In Saltillo, the aircraft might be checked and painted, Nicolás Larenas reported.
Failed startups in Ecuador
Unfortunately, Ecuador has had a foul string of failed startups. Back-to-back firms have been unable to determine themselves within the South American country. One did launch operations but went bankrupt in 2023, while the opposite received authorization to fly a few years ago but has yet to start flying.
EQUAIR
This company, employing a fleet of three Boeing 737-700s, launched operations in 2021. Through the two years of history of EQUAIR, the corporate transported over 700,000 passengers. Nonetheless, it was unable to proceed flying and ceased operations last month. It was the eleventh Latin American airline to stop operations since 2020.
Ecuatoriana Airlines
The startup was announced in 2021. It received all of the permits to launch operations and even revealed its brand and livery. Ecuatoriana Airlines, reviving the old Ecuatoriana de Aviación brand (a really famous brand within the country), was seeking to employ a fleet of Boeing 717-200 and Dash 8 Q400 aircraft.
Nonetheless, the airline has not taken off, unable to launch its first flight within the last two years. In a recent interview, the corporate’s CEO, Eduardo Delgado, said the project is ongoing but has not secured enough funding to launch.
Do you expect Ecuacondor to take off? Which routes would you want this company to cover? Tell us within the comments below.