AEROCHAGO AIRLINES, S. A.: Zona de Carga, Aeropuerto In-ternacional Americas, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Phone 1 (809) 549-0709; Fax 1 (809) 549-0708; Code G3; Year Founded 1973. Aerotours Dominicana, S. A. is established at Santo Domingo in 1973. Equipped with a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation, the operator undertakes nonscheduled passenger flights to destinations in Mexico, Central America, and nations in the Caribbean.
The company is reorganized and renamed in 1983. The product emphasis now changes to all-cargo and contract services. During the remainder of the decade, the fleet is altered, first by the addition of 1 Lockheed L-749A Constellation formerly operated by Trans World Airlines (TWA), and then by the acquisition of 1 Convair CV-240, 1 Douglas DC-6A, and 1 DC-7CF. At this point, the company is the last revenue operator of both the early and late model Constellation.
Operations continue apace into the 1990s.
A Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation freighter with five crew is destroyed in a landing accident at Santo Domingo on June 13, 1990. Service is maintained without incident in 1991.
Just after takeoff from Ft. Lauderdale on November 6, 1992, on an all-cargo service to Dania Beach, the No. 4 engine of a DC-7CF with 3 crew and 2 passengers, fails; the aircraft is ditched 140 m. offshore and is lost, although all aboard are rescued.
In 1993, General Manager Jacques Cohen’s fleet includes 1 CV-600, 1 DC-6A, and 1 replacement DC-7CF. In addition to Caribbean cargo charters, the company also undertakes services on behalf of the Mexican airline Aeromar (Transportes Aeromar S. A. de C. V.).
Following the failure of its No. 4 engine on takeoff, the DC-7CF with 3 crew runs off the runway at Santo Domingo; although the freighter is badly damaged, there are no fatalities.
Flights continueduring the remainder of the decade. Pedro Rodriguez becomes general manager following his predecessor’s election as president. Airline employment reaches 225 and a number of flights are subcontracted out to Agro Air International Dominicana.
AEROCHILE, S. A.: Chile (1996). AeroChile is established at Santiago in the spring of 1996 to offer scheduled passenger services from the capital city to Arica. A Boeing 737-222, first flown by United Airlines, is acquired and service is inaugurated in early June. Unable to achieve viability, the company shuts down again by the end of July.
World History
