Aeroperú

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Aeroperú
IATA PL	ICAO PLI	Callsign Aeroperu
Founded		1973
Hubs		Jorge Chavez International Airport
Focus cities		Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport Rodriguez Ballon International Airport
Frequent flyer program		Club Premier
Member lounge		Salon Premier
Fleet size		22
Destinations		21
Headquarters		Lima, Peru
Key people		Gregorio Nolan (CEO)
Website: None

Aeroperú (shorter for Empresa Nacional de Aeronavegación del Perú, SA) was the national flag air carrier of Peru.

[edit] History

Started in 1973, Aeroperú was formed to take over the international routes operated by APSA (owned then by Pan American Airways). At first, the airline was largely controlled by the Peruvian Air Force.

Aeroperú was based at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru, and grew into an international airline while also developing a large jet aircraft route system domestically. In its early years Peru's flag carrier used Fokker F-28, Boeing 727, McDonnell Douglas DC-8 (which were leased from Viasa) and a Lockheed L-1011. Aeroperú's main focus was with South American routes, although it did serve Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City as well as Miami.

In the 1990s, economic trouble led to the sale of 47 percent of the airline to AeroMéxico. Aeroperú then re-introduced a new livery, similar to that of AeroMéxico. Three 727-200's and three DC10-15's were bought from Mexicana, another subsidiary from AeroMéxico at that time. Three Boeing 757s were also introduced as property of AeroMéxico and another one leased. Additionally, service to Los Angeles was introduced.

Aeroperú McDonnell Douglas DC-10 at Miami in August 1994, with Varig DC-10 next to it

Aeroperú had suffered two fatal events (including Flight 603). The last one likely contributed to the airline's demise. Before the take-off of flight 603, the maintenance crew erroneously left masking tape over the sensitive static ports of the plane. The crew thus received contradicting and false flight data, particularly from the altimeter, after take-off. This prevented even ground radar from successfully assisting the flight crew during the emergency, and ultimately led to the plane's crash into the Pacific Ocean on October 2, 1996. This was a severe blow to the airline, from which it could never recover. These and other incidents highlighted the general incompetence of the staff, which earned the airline the derisive nickname of Aeropeor (AeroWorse).

On March 10, 1999, financial difficulties forced Aeroperú to cease operations. Aeroperú's major creditors decided on August 18 to liquidate its assets.

[edit] Livery

Aeroperú's final livery featured a white upper fuselage and a grey lower fuselage, with dark blue and red cheatlines, the Peruvian flag over the front passenger windows, the tail covered in dark blue, with the name aeroperú inscribed in white and a Chavin symbol in white.

[edit] Historical Destinations

Main article: Aeroperú destinations

[edit] Historical Fleet

• 8 Boeing 727-200
• 6 Boeing 757-200
• 3 McDonnell Douglas DC-10
• 3 Douglas DC-8
• 2 Lockheed L-1011