Icaro Air

Icaro Air was an Ecuadorian airline and broader aviation-services company headquartered in Quito. Founded on September 21, 1971, it began operations with two Cessna 150 aircraft and gradually expanded from basic flight activity into a diversified aviation business. Its main base was Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, where it operated domestic passenger services under the Icaro Express name and maintained a wider portfolio that included charter flights, helicopter operations, specialized aerial work, pilot training, and aviation-fuel distribution. The company’s development reflected the evolution of Ecuador’s commercial and general-aviation sectors. In 1984, Icaro obtained an additional operating authorization from Ecuador’s aviation authorities for specialized aerial work involving helicopters, including external-load operations and passenger transport. To support this activity, it entered into a joint venture with Heli Union of Paris. During the 1990s, the company added rotary-wing capacity, acquiring a Bell 206 L-3 in 1997 and a Bell 206 L-4 in 1998. It also entered the aviation-fuel business in 1996, initially as a distributor and later as a marketer approved by the relevant regulatory authority. By the beginning of the 2000s, Icaro had become particularly established in charter flying and helicopter services. Its stated development plans contemplated expanding cargo and courier activities, continuing its existing aviation businesses, and building a larger scheduled-airline operation that could make it Ecuador’s second-largest airline. The company operated or historically operated a varied fleet, including Boeing 737-200C, Fokker F28 Fellowship, de Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 and Twin Otter aircraft, Beechcraft 1900D, Cessna aircraft, and Bell 206 helicopters. Icaro’s passenger network included Ecuadorian destinations such as Guayaquil, Cuenca, El Coca, Esmeraldas, Manta, and Quito, as well as international or regional destinations including Bogotá, Cali, Leticia, and Willemstad. The company’s Ecuadorian frequencies to Guayaquil and the Galápagos were later revoked. In June 2011, Icaro requested dissolution from Ecuador’s Superintendency of Companies and entered liquidation. The company subsequently explored ways to restart operations, including a proposed wet-lease arrangement with Cuba’s Aerocaribbean under which Icaro would provide a Boeing 737-200 and Ecuadorian crew. The proposed operation required authorization from Ecuador’s National Civil Aviation Council, but that authorization was not granted. Icaro Air therefore remained a defunct airline rather than returning to sustained commercial operation.

Icaro Air was established in Ecuador on September 21, 1971. It began with two Cessna 150 aircraft and developed from a small aviation operator into a company with scheduled, charter, helicopter, and aviation-support activities. Quito served as its headquarters and principal operating base, initially through the city’s Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport and later in the context of Quito’s airport infrastructure. A significant expansion occurred in 1984, when Ecuador’s aeronautical authority granted Icaro an additional operating permit for specialized aerial work with helicopters. The authorization covered activities including external-load operations and passenger transport. Icaro supported this line through a joint venture with Heli Union, a Paris-based company. The company subsequently increased its helicopter capability, adding a Bell 206 L-3 in 1997 and a Bell 206 L-4 in 1998. In 1996, Icaro entered the aviation-fuel business. It first operated as a distributor and later as a marketer after receiving approval from the applicable Ecuadorian regulatory body. This complemented its flight operations and formed part of a broader strategy to build a diversified aviation enterprise. By the start of the twenty-first century, Icaro was described as strongly established in charter flights and helicopter services. Its development plans included maintaining those activities while pursuing courier and cargo services and expanding scheduled passenger operations. The passenger business operated under the Icaro Express name. Icaro served domestic points including Guayaquil, Cuenca, El Coca, Esmeraldas, Manta, and Quito, and it also listed regional destinations in Colombia and Curaçao. Its fleet history included small Cessna aircraft, Piper aircraft, helicopters, turboprops, regional aircraft, and jet airliners. Aircraft associated with the company included the Boeing 737-200C, Fokker F28 Fellowship, de Havilland Canada Dash 8-200, Twin Otter, Beechcraft 1900D, Bell 206 variants, and several Cessna models. On September 22, 2008, an Icaro Fokker F28 flying from Quito to El Coca rejected takeoff after a fire warning in the forward cargo compartment. The aircraft could not stop before leaving the runway and collided with the airport’s instrument landing system antenna. No fatalities were reported among the 62 passengers and four crew members. Icaro’s commercial and corporate difficulties culminated in 2011. On June 20, the company requested dissolution from Ecuador’s Superintendency of Companies and entered liquidation. Its frequencies to Guayaquil and the Galápagos were revoked. Icaro considered a restart based on a proposed wet lease to Aerocaribbean in Cuba. Under the plan, Icaro would have supplied a Boeing 737-200 together with Ecuadorian crew for Aerocaribbean’s scheduled domestic and international services. The proposal required approval from Ecuador’s National Civil Aviation Council, but the council prohibited the authorization from being granted. Icaro Air did not consequently resume sustained airline operations and is regarded as defunct.

• 2011

  Dissolution and liquidation

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  Icaro requested dissolution from Ecuador’s Superintendency of Companies, entered liquidation, and lost frequencies serving Guayaquil and the Galápagos.

• 2011

  Proposed Cuba restart rejected

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  A proposed wet lease of a Boeing 737-200 and Ecuadorian crew to Aerocaribbean was not authorized by Ecuador’s National Civil Aviation Council.

• 2008

  Fokker F28 runway accident

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  An Icaro F28 left the runway at Quito after a rejected takeoff prompted by a cargo-compartment fire alarm. There were no reported fatalities.

• 1998

  Bell 206 L-4 added

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  The company expanded its helicopter fleet with a Bell 206 L-4.

• 1997

  Bell 206 L-3 acquired

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  Icaro added a Bell 206 L-3 helicopter to its fleet.

• 1996

  Entry into aviation-fuel distribution

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  Icaro entered the aviation-fuel business as a distributor and later expanded into fuel marketing under regulatory approval.

• 1984

  Helicopter and specialized aerial-work authorization

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  The company obtained an additional permit covering specialized aerial work with helicopters, including external-load activity and passenger transport, and formed a joint venture with Heli Union.

• 1971

  Company founded and operations begin

  [1]Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org

  Icaro Air was founded on September 21 and commenced aviation operations with two Cessna 150 aircraft.

A diversified Ecuadorian aviation operator combining scheduled and charter passenger services with helicopter work, aviation fuel activities, and other aviation-related businesses.

• Passenger airline service

  Icaro Express

  Icaro Express was the brand used for Icaro Air’s domestic passenger services. The network connected Quito with Ecuadorian cities including Guayaquil, Cuenca, El Coca, Esmeraldas, and Manta. The company also listed regional international destinations in Colombia and Curaçao. The service ended when Icaro entered liquidation and its relevant operating frequencies were revoked.

• Air transport

  Charter flights

  Charter flying was one of Icaro Air’s principal operating areas by the beginning of the 2000s. The company used a mixed fleet that included regional aircraft and jet airliners, allowing it to operate outside the narrower schedule of its domestic passenger services. Charter operations formed part of Icaro’s broader aviation portfolio before the company’s 2011 liquidation.

• Helicopter services · 1984

  Helicopter and specialized aerial work

  Following its 1984 authorization, Icaro conducted specialized aerial work using helicopters, including external-load operations and passenger transport. Its helicopter fleet included Bell 206 L-3 and Bell 206 L-4 aircraft. The business was supported by a joint venture with Heli Union of Paris and became one of the company’s established activities.

• Aviation support services · 1996

  Aviation fuel distribution and marketing

  Icaro entered aviation-fuel supply in 1996, initially distributing fuel and later marketing it after obtaining approval from the relevant Ecuadorian authority. This business broadened the company beyond flight operations and served aviation customers during a period when Icaro was developing into a diversified aviation-services group.

• Aviation education

  Pilot training

  Pilot training was part of Icaro Air’s historical aviation portfolio. The company’s early fleet included training-oriented light aircraft such as Cessna and Piper models. Later development plans reportedly emphasized the company’s other business areas more strongly than the pilot school.

• 2011

  Proposed Aerocaribbean wet-lease restartStrategy

  Background

  After entering the dissolution process, Icaro explored a route to restart operations through Cuba’s Aerocaribbean. The proposed arrangement involved supplying a Boeing 737-200 and Ecuadorian crew under a wet-lease structure.

  Action taken

  Icaro signed a lease-related agreement in Havana and sought authorization from Ecuador’s National Civil Aviation Council for the proposed operation.

  Aftermath

  The required authorization was not granted, preventing the planned Cuba operation from proceeding and leaving Icaro in a defunct status.

  Source

• 2011

  Dissolution and liquidationOther

  Background

  Icaro’s airline and aviation-services activities faced corporate and operating difficulties, and its frequencies to Guayaquil and the Galápagos were revoked.

  Action taken

  The company requested dissolution from Ecuador’s Superintendency of Companies on June 20 and entered liquidation.

  Aftermath

  The company did not return to sustained commercial airline operations.

  Source

1. 1Icaro Airen.wikipedia.org