AeroCóndor

Infobox_Airline
airline = AeroCóndor
logo_size = 150
fleet_size =
destinations =
IATA = OD
ICAO =
callsign = AeroCóndor
parent =
founded = 1955
headquarters = Colombia
key_people =
hubs =
focus_cities =
frequent_flyer =
lounge =
alliance =
website =

AeroCóndor was a Colombian airline.

History

The company was founded in 1955 by former Avianca pilots under the name Aerovías Condor de Colombia and started operations in 1957. The first services were between Barranquilla and Bogotá using Curtis C-46 Commando aircraft. But at the beginning it was just a cargo operation and it was not until January 12, 1960 that passenger services were begun to cities in Colombia. International freight flights were commenced in 1963 using Douglas DC-6 aircraft between Bogotá and Miami via Medellín, Barranquilla and San Andrés. A year later passenger services were added to this route. Other international destinations were Aruba and Curacao. In 1968 the Lockheed L-188 Electra entered service.

By 1972 Aerocondor was the second largest airline in Colombia behind Avianca and it introduced the Boeing 720. Routes to Guatemala City, Port au Prince and Santo Domingo followed. Aerocondor was probably the first airline in the Americas to order the new Airbus A300B4 which entered service at the end of 1977. By 1979 Aerocondor was having financial difficulties and the airline declared bankruptcy in 1981.

Fleet

Aircraft used throughout the years were:

*Curtis C-46 Commando
*Douglas DC-4
*Douglas DC-6
*Lockheed L-188 Electra
*Boeing 720
*Airbus A300B4

External links

* [http://www.airlinehistory.co.uk/Americas/Colombia/Airlines.asp Airline History Website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yc0uQSdC8w Tribute Video]
* [http://www.simviation.com/hjg/articles/0605_colombias_colorful_aerocondor.htm Colombia's Colorful Aerocondor]