Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas
Defunct cargo airline of Colombia (1972–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas S.A.S (traded as LAS Cargo) was a cargo airline based in Bogotá, Colombia. It operated scheduled and chartered cargo flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. Its main base was El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá.[2]
(as AeroNorte)
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| Founded | April 14, 1972 (as AeroNorte) | ||||||
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| Ceased operations | September 30, 2023 | ||||||
| AOC # | QQLF316F[1] | ||||||
| Hubs | El Dorado International Airport | ||||||
| Destinations | 8 | ||||||
| Headquarters | Bogotá, Colombia | ||||||
| Key people | Maurice Thorin Brauer (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | www | ||||||
History
The airline was founded on April 14, 1972, as AeroNorte Ltda. and commenced operations using the Curtiss C-46 Commando. In 1975, it started regional cargo services and bought 2 Douglas DC-4 and 2 Douglas DC-6A.
The company changed its name in 1986 to Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas when its operation's certificate was canceled by Law 30. Operations started serving North America with a Canadair CL-44. In 1987, it started flying between Bogotá and Panama,[2] when a Sud Aviation Caravelle joined the fleet.
In 1991, the first Boeing 727-100 was acquired. To complement the fleet, two McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 freighters were added for greater national coverage.
By 2005, the company had built its own two hangars and purchased its fourth Boeing 727-200, and by the end of 2008, two more joined the fleet. Additionally, LAS Cargo constructed two big hangars at El Dorado International Airport. They include four aircraft parking positions, structural repairs, mods, engineering services, and aircraft painting facilities.
The company became an International Air Transport Association member in 2013. The company updated its corporate image in 2014, including a new logo and a new livery design for its aircraft.
In 2019, a Boeing 737-300SF was introduced to the fleet, and in December 2021, a 737-400SF was added.
By July 2023, the company had debts of 17m US Dollars and had to cease all operational activities with its remaining single Boeing 737-400SF for financial reasons. However, the company went into restructuring under Law 1116 (similar to US Chapter 11) and was put up for sale.[3]
Destinations
As of May 2022, LAS Cargo served the following destinations:[4]
| Country | City | Airport | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aruba | Oranjestad | Queen Beatrix International Airport | |
| Colombia | Bogotá | El Dorado International Airport | Hub |
| Curaçao | Willemstad | Curaçao International Airport | |
| Ecuador | Guayaquil | José Joaquín de Olmedo International | |
| Quito | Mariscal Sucre International Airport | ||
| Panama | Panama City | Tocumen International Airport | |
| Perú | Lima | Jorge Chávez International Airport | |
| Venezuela | Caracas | Simón Bolívar International Airport | |
LAS Cargo also operated charter flights internationally and within Colombia.
Fleet
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The airline previously operated the following aircraft:[5]
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 727-100F | 5 | 1993 | 2020 | |
| Boeing 727-200F | 5 | 2002 | 2023 | [6] |
| Boeing 737-300SF | 1 | 2019 | 2022 | |
| Boeing 737-400SF | 1 | 2021 | 2023 | |
| Canadair CL-44 | 1 | 1984 | 1988 | Crashed after an engine failure.[7] |
| Curtiss C-46 Commando | 6 | 1972 | 1993 | |
| Douglas C-47 Skytrain | 2 | 1976 | 1980 | |
| Douglas C-54 Skymaster | 3 | 1972 | 1988 | |
| Douglas DC-6 | 4 | 1982 | 1999 | |
| Douglas DC-7 | 1 | 1972 | 1973 | Written off when refueling.[8] |
| Douglas DC-9-15F | 2 | 2002 | 2008 | |
| Sud Aviation Caravelle | 7 | 1983 | 2002 | |
Accidents and incidents
- On December 11, 1991, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration HK-2716), was flown into a hill during the approach to El Dorado International Airport. All 8 occupants were killed.[9]
- On January 31, 2001, a Sud Aviation Caravelle crashed near El Alcaraván Airport while attempting to make an emergency landing. Three of the six occupants were killed.[10]
- On December 18, 2003, LAS Flight 4246, a Douglas DC-9-15F (registered HK-4246X), crashed near Mitú, killing all 3 occupants on board.[11]
- On May 28, 2018, a Boeing 727-200F (registered HK-4637) suffered a hard landing at El Dorado International Airport, causing the nosegear to collapse during touchdown. All 5 crew members were uninjured, and the aircraft was repaired.[12]
- On October 20, 2020, the same 727 from before, HK-4637, veered off the runway of Arturo Michelena International Airport during landing. The aircraft's landing gear was damaged on due to wet grass.[13] All 3 crew members were uninjured, and the aircraft was repaired again after.
