Ecuador's state-owned carrier TAME is poised to introduce its first Airbus A320, having received government clearance to go ahead with a lease deal for two aircraft.
TAME finalised its fleet renewal plan in May 2002 and agreed an eight-year lease deal in February for two International Aero Engines V2500-powered A320s with US-based GATX. The first aircraft will arrive this month and the second in August, to replace two of the airline's five Boeing 727-200s.
TAME will initially operate the A320s from its Quito base to Baltra, Cuenca and Guayaquil. The arrival of the A320s completes the first phase of TAME's stepped fleet renewal plan, which precedes the eventual replacement of its five remaining Boeing 727-100/200s.
Source: Flight International
