Inair Panama
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| |||||||
| Founded | 1967 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceased operations | September 1984 | ||||||
| Hubs | Tocumen International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 7 | ||||||
International De Avacion, mainly known as Inair Panama, was a Panamanian cargo airline, that operated from 1967 to September 1984. The airline was one of the largest cargo airlines in Panama,[1] and operated out of Tocumen International Airport.
The airline was founded in 1967, and operated routes in South America, as well as a route to Miami.[2]
History
[edit]The airline was founded in 1967, with a fleet of 3 Curtiss Commando aircraft.[2] In 1969, the airline was permitted to operate routes from Tocumen International Airport to Miami International Airport.[2] Services were also added to other South American nations between 1967 and 1968. In 1971, the airline started to phase out their Curtiss Commando aircraft with 7 freighter Douglas DC-6s,[2] and by 1973, the airline fully retired their Commando aircraft.[2]
In August 1973, the airline bought a Boeing 720, and was used from 1973 to 1974.[citation needed] The airline then operated another Boeing 720,[citation needed] as well as a Lockheed L-188 Electra from 1976 to 1977.[citation needed] In February 1979, the first Convair 880 was bought by the airline,[citation needed] however, the aircraft was written off a year later.[citation needed] By that point, the airline did not have a fleet. In May 1981, the airline leased another Convair 880, and in July 1981, the airline leased a Douglas DC-8.[citation needed] The airline eventually ceased operations by 1984.[1]
Fleet
[edit]The airline, in total, operated 17 aircraft in the history of the airline. At the time of closure, the airline operated a Convair 880, as well as 2 Douglas DC-8 aircraft.
| Aircraft | Total | Introduced | Retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 720 | 2 | 1973 | 1974 | |
| Convair 880 | 2 | 1979 | 1984 | 1 written off as HP-821[3] |
| Curtiss Commando | 3 | 1967 | 1973 | |
| Douglas DC-6 | 6 | 1971 | ? | 1 crashed as HP-539[4] |
| Douglas DC-8 | 2 | 1981 | 1984 | |
| Lockheed L-188 Electra | 1 | 1976 | 1977 | |
| Lockheed L-749 | 1 | ? | ? | [citation needed] |
Incidents and accidents
[edit]There have been 2 incidents and accidents involving the airline.
- On April 10, 1972, HP-539, a Douglas DC-6, crashed on approach to Manaus International Airport. The aircraft's nosegear hit a wall due to an improper IFR approach, making the aircraft slide onto the runway. The plane came to rest after 300 meters. All 3 occupants survived.[4]
- On March 29, 1980, HP-821, a Convair 880, was damaged beyond repair.[3]