Downsized Icaro airlines ends Quito to Cuenca service; Tame picks up the slack while Lan plans national flights

Icaro Airlines has suspended its Quito to Cuenca service. The airline first claimed that the suspension would be temporary, the result of  Sept. 22 accident at the Quito airport that took one of its aircraft out of service. The airline has since confirmed that it is reducing service nationwide and would not resume service to Cuenca. 

To compensate for the lost Icaro seats, Tame airlines, Ecuador's second largest domestic carrier, announced plans to increase Quito – Cuenca service by 20%. Tame manager Paul Street said the introduction of new 190-seat Airbus 320 would provide the additional seats. The larger Airbuses will add 2,100 seats a month between the two cities. Tame has served Cuenca for 46 years.

In the meantime, Lan airlines is finalizing plans to enter the national market and will include flights to Cuenca. Under consideration is a Cuenca to Miami flight with a stop-over in Quito. According to Lan, no final decision has been been made on international service. Several international flights are being discussed by Cuenca airport authorities and airlines, including several to Peru. Cuenca is Ecuador's third busiest airport and is certified as an international airport.