✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Verified codes to save on your next trip.
The historic Ecuadorian airline Tame EP has reached its definitive legal end after completing its liquidation process started in the middle of the pandemic 2020.
The story of what TAME should have been and what finally was has reached its last page. After more than five years of uncertainty, The liquidation process of what was the most emblematic airline in the country in recent decades has formally concluded, marking the end of an era that began more than six decades ago.
Tame was liquidated
Tame should have complied 64 years this 2026, but after the decision to close the Government of Ecuador after hundreds of millions accumulated in losses and added to the pandemic, The Ecuadorian airline that transported millions of dreams around the world was liquidated.
To close such an important
A dream born in heaven (1962)
The 4 from December to 1962, TAME was born from the visionary proposal of Colonel Luis Ortega of the Ecuadorian Air Force (FAE). With a comprehensive plan that included solid financial and administrative schemes, and the support of Commander General Guillermo Freire, The dream materialized at the Mariscal Sucre Air Base in Quito. Only thirteen days later, the 17 from December, the first TAME flight took to the skies, starting a trajectory that would reconfigure national connectivity.
The evolution of Ecuadorian wings
Throughout its history, The TAME fleet was the reflection of the country's technological progress:
- The Douglas Era: It started with the C-47, workhorses that experienced critical moments such as kidnappings. Subsequently, The DC-6B allowed the conquest of the Galapagos Islands, a milestone for tourism and national sovereignty.
- Modernization and Turboprops: In the years 70, the arrival of the Hawker Siddeleys 748 (Avros) and the Lockheed L-188 Electra brought pressurized cabins and greater efficiency.
- The Jet Age: On 1981, the boeing 737-200 («City of Loja») marked the entrance to modernity, followed by the iconic Boeing 727 and, briefly, the boeing 757.
- Expansion in America: In the new millennium, TAME opted for Airbus technology (A319, A320 and the widebody A330) and the flexibility of the Embraer (ERJ170/190) and ATRs 42-500, seeking to compete in international markets and maintain social routes.
The decline and impact of the pandemic
Despite its growth, The airline faced insurmountable turbulence: financial difficulties, debts that reached $500 million in 2019 and complex administrative management. in May 2020, in the midst of the global crisis due to COVID-19, The Ecuadorian Government decided to begin its liquidation, leaving a deep void in the connectivity of the least profitable but vital routes for the country.
2025: The final closure
The process that began in 2020 saw its official end on 19 from December to 2025. Under compliance with the provisions of President Daniel Noboa, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation (WITH) formally completed the closure of TAME EP «In Liquidation».
With the signing of the public deed between the Undersecretary of Air Transport, Patricia Chiriboga, and the liquidator Lucía Quilachamin Soto, the assets, liabilities and litigated rights of the airline were transferred to MIT. This milestone is highlighted by several key administrative achievements:
- Efficiency: TAME EP was the only public company to complete its liquidation within the established deadlines, no need for extensions.
- Social Commitment: The payment of the Global Fund to retirees and the reimbursement of values to users affected by the suspension of flights were prioritized, with special emphasis on elderly and disabled people.
- Transparency: The process included a cleanup of accounts and debt reduction, positioning this case as a model of partial recovery for other state entities.
TAME EP ceases to exist as a legal entity, but her legacy as a pioneer in connecting the various regions of the Ecuador remains. His story, from a military startup to its final liquidation in 2025, It is a testimony of the successes and challenges of the Ecuadorian State in the aeronautical sector. As the country moves towards more sustainable transportation systems, the lessons of TAME will continue to influence national aviation.
What anecdote do you have about Tame or a particular flight with them??
✈️ Exclusive Benefits for Readers
Search here for hotels ALL over the world at the best price.
