TAMep, Transporte Aéreo Militar Empresa Pública (Military Air Transport) is anairline based inLa Paz,Bolivia. It was owned by theBolivian Air Force, and was established to offer flights to rural communities where commercial airlines could not operate profitably. It also operated in competition with commercial airlines on many of Bolivia's trunk domestic routes.[1] In September 2019, the airline suspended all operations.[2] In May 2024, the airlines restarted operations, using anAvro RJ70 aircraft.[3]
TAM began operations on June 15, 1945, with the acquisition of newDouglas C-47s. In 1955, the squadron of the Bolivian Air Transport decided for TAM to begin commercial operations.
"El Grupo Aéreo "71" (the Air group "71") known by the civil populace as Transporte Aéreo Militar (TAM), is an essential part of the structure of the Bolivian Air Force and the fundamental element for the development and integration of the populations in the distant parts of the national territory."
The original name (from 1944) was "El Escuadrón de Transporte Aéreo" (ETA). In 1953 the name was changed to Transporte Aéreo Militar. This heritage is reflected in the words "Grupo Aéreo 71" appearing as part of the TAM logo.
The airline has stopped their flights since July 2018. On March 27, 2019, the airline gained authorization to begin flying again, but during that period failed to obtain an operating authorization from the ATT;[citation needed] this failure lead to them ceasing all operations again in September, 2019.[2]
On May 31, 2024, TAM restarted operations, changing its name toTAMep. The only aircraft used for its routes is anAvro RJ70, registrationCP-3106. The initial routes that TAMEp will cover are:La Paz -Santa Cruz, La Paz -Cochabamba and La Paz -Cobija, however, the necessary steps are being taken to expand the service to more destinations within the country.[3]
On 11 September 1962 Captain Walter Arze Rojas's aircraft crashed after the plane was given standard gasoline instead of aviation fuel.
On 12 February 1970,Douglas DC-3 TAM-11 crashed while attempting an emergency landing atLaja Airport. The aircraft was operating a non-scheduled passenger flight. All five people on board survived.[9]
On 25 September 1972, Douglas C-47A TAM-24 was reported to have been damaged beyond economic repair in an accident atCaranavi Airport.[12]
On 19 January 1974, Douglas DC-3 TAM-30 was damaged beyond economic repair in a wheels-up landing at Laia.[13]
On 11 November 1974, Douglas DC-3 TAM-34 crashed near the Sorata Mountain shortly after take-off fromEl Alto Airport.[14]
On 27 October 1975, a CV-440crashed into the Cerro Colorado volcano during takeoff, killing all 4 crew and 63 passengers on board. The aircraft was carrying military officers and their families.
On 18 March 2011, aXian MA60 (with Bolivian registration FAB-96) with 33 passengers and crew aboard, performed an emergency landing without locked nose landing gear in the airport of the touristic Amazonian village of Rurrenabaque, on arrival from La Paz. No injuries were reported.[15][16]
On 9 January 2012 aXian MA60 (with Bolivian registration FAB-96) with 16 passengers and 5 crew aboard performed an emergency landing without landing gear lowered at Guayaramerin on arrival from Riberalta. No injuries occurred, but the aircraft was substantially damaged.[17]
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