note
Ecuatoriana was national airline of Ecuador. Airline was formed by private domestic and foreign (American) interest in 1957 as Compagnia Ecuatoriana de Aviacion. Airline commenced operations using Curtiss C-46s, DC-4s and DC-6s.
Major restructuring commenced in July 1974 when airline adopted new corporate identity and changed its name to simple Ecuatoriana. Airline was nationalized at this time. Ecuador Air Force was providing technical and managerial assistance.
Airline traditional routes were from both of its hubs in Ecuador, Quito and Guayaquil to Panama City, Lima, Miami, New York, Caracas, Bogota and Santiago. In 1970s, Ecuatoriana used Boeing 707s and 720s on its international routes and some were painted in distinct abstract "psychedelic" color schemes to compete with colorful jets of Braniff.
In 1983 airline bought its first wide body aircraft, Douglas DC-10-30s from Swissair. Ecuatoriana opened routes to Madrid and Canada.
Airline was mismanaged, had built reputation of unreliable airline, and by 1993 had to stop operations. Brazil's VASP bought 50% interest in airline and restarted its operations in 1996 using Boeing 727s and a DC-10 from its fleet. In 2000 VASP sold its stake to Lan Chile. Ecuatoriana leased Boeing 767s from Lan Chile. In 2004 airline ownership changed hands again and LAB of Bolivia became owner together with Ecuador government. LAB was at bring of collapse at this time as well and could not help Ecuatoriana survive. All operations were suspended in 2005 and company was liquidated.
founded - demised (age)
February 1 1957 - 2006 (49)
headquarters
Colon y Reina Victoria, Quito
web
base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
