Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas
Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas was a Colombian cargo airline based at Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport and marketed as LAS Cargo.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
History
Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas originated as AeroNorte Ltda., founded in Colombia on April 14, 1972. It began flying with the Curtiss C-46 Commando and entered regional cargo service in 1975 after acquiring two Douglas DC-4s and two Douglas DC-6As. These early operations established the company as a freight carrier rather than a conventional passenger airline. In 1986, the business adopted the name Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas. The historical account associates the change with the cancellation of its operating certificate under Law 30. The renamed airline subsequently broadened its international reach. A Canadair CL-44 was used in North American operations, and in 1987 the company began operating between Bogotá and Panama after adding a Sud Aviation Caravelle. The fleet moved progressively toward jet freighters. In 1991, the company acquired its first Boeing 727-100, while two McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 freighters were added to improve national coverage. The airline continued to use and expand Boeing 727 operations during the following years. By 2005, it had constructed two hangars at El Dorado International Airport and had acquired its fourth Boeing 727-200. Two further examples were added by the end of 2008. The El Dorado facilities were strategically important to the company. They included four aircraft parking positions and capabilities for structural repairs, modifications, engineering work, and aircraft painting. This infrastructure supported the airline's own fleet and formed part of its broader identity as an aviation-services organization as well as a freight operator. LAS Cargo joined the International Air Transport Association in 2013. In 2014, it changed its corporate presentation through a new logo and aircraft livery. The airline later introduced converted Boeing narrow-body freighters: a Boeing 737-300SF entered the fleet in 2019, followed by a Boeing 737-400SF in December 2021. The company also experienced several serious accidents and incidents over its operating history. A Curtiss C-46 crashed near Bogotá in 1991, a Caravelle crashed near El Alcaraván in 2001, and a DC-9 freighter crashed near Mitú in 2003. Later Boeing 727 events in 2018 and 2020 involved landing damage, but no crew fatalities; the aircraft involved in both later events was repaired. Financial pressure became decisive in the early 2020s. By July 2023, the company was reported to have approximately US$17 million in debt and stopped all operational activity with its remaining Boeing 737-400SF. It entered restructuring under Colombia's Law 1116 and was put up for sale. The available reference material does not confirm a subsequent restart, acquisition, or liquidation, so the airline's ultimate corporate status remains uncertain.
- 2023
Operations suspended during restructuring
[1]Financial difficulties led to cessation of operations, restructuring under Law 1116, and an attempted sale.
- 2021
Boeing 737-400SF added
[1]The airline added a Boeing 737-400SF in December.
- 2019
Boeing 737-300SF entered the fleet
[1]A converted Boeing 737-300SF was introduced for cargo operations.
- 2014
Corporate identity refreshed
[1]The airline introduced a new logo and aircraft livery.
- 2013
Joined the International Air Transport Association
[1]LAS Cargo became an International Air Transport Association member.
- 2005
El Dorado hangar investment expanded
[1]The company had built two hangars at El Dorado and acquired its fourth Boeing 727-200.
- 1991
Boeing 727 and DC-9 freighters added
[1]The first Boeing 727-100 was acquired, and two McDonnell Douglas DC-9-15 freighters were added for wider Colombian coverage.
- 1987
Bogotá–Panama service started
[1]The airline began flying between Bogotá and Panama after adding a Sud Aviation Caravelle.
- 1986
Name changed to Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas
[1]The company adopted its long-running name after the historical account associates the change with cancellation of its operating certificate under Law 30.
- 1975
Regional cargo operations began
[1]The airline started regional cargo services and acquired two Douglas DC-4s and two Douglas DC-6As.
Products and positioning
A Colombian dedicated-freight airline focused on scheduled and charter cargo transportation, supported by in-house or company-operated hangar, engineering, repair, modification, and aircraft-painting capabilities.
Air freight · 1975
Scheduled cargo services
The airline's core offering was scheduled cargo transportation using dedicated freighter aircraft. Its network connected Colombia with destinations in Latin America, the Caribbean, and, during some periods, North America. Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport served as the principal operating base.
Air freight
Charter cargo flights
LAS Cargo also operated international and domestic charter flights. These services complemented its scheduled freight network and allowed the airline to serve routes or cargo requirements outside its regular timetable.
Aviation services · 2005
Aircraft engineering and maintenance facilities
The company developed two large hangars at El Dorado with four aircraft parking positions. The facilities supported structural repairs, modifications, engineering services, and aircraft painting, although the available material does not establish the extent to which these capabilities were offered to third parties.
Brand decisions
2023
Entered restructuring and was offered for saleOtherBackground
By July 2023, the company was reported to have approximately US$17 million in debt and had stopped operating its remaining Boeing 737-400SF.
Action taken
The airline entered restructuring under Colombia's Law 1116 and was put up for sale.
Aftermath
The available material does not confirm whether a buyer was found, operations resumed, or liquidation occurred.
Reported debt. US$17 million (By July 2023)
2021
Added the Boeing 737-400SFProduct launchBackground
The airline continued its transition toward Boeing 737 converted freighters.
Action taken
A Boeing 737-400SF was added in December 2021.
Aftermath
The aircraft became the remaining operational aircraft cited when the company later suspended flying.
2019
Introduced the Boeing 737-300SFProduct launchBackground
The airline was operating a freighter fleet that included older Boeing 727 and other converted aircraft types.
Action taken
A Boeing 737-300SF converted freighter entered the fleet.
Aftermath
The move shifted part of the fleet toward a newer narrow-body freighter platform.
2014
Refreshed the corporate imageStrategyBackground
The airline updated its public identity after joining the International Air Transport Association in 2013.
Action taken
It introduced a new logo and redesigned livery for its aircraft.
Aftermath
The refresh gave the cargo airline a revised visual identity, but the available material provides no measured commercial outcome.
1986
Adopted the Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas nameStrategyBackground
The company's earlier identity was AeroNorte Ltda.; the available historical account links the renaming to cancellation of its operating certificate under Law 30.
Action taken
The company operated under the Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas name and later marketed its cargo activity as LAS Cargo.
Aftermath
The renamed airline expanded international cargo activity, including North American operations and the Bogotá–Panama route.
Recent events
- 2023
Financial distress led to suspension of operations[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
By July 2023, reported debt of approximately US$17 million led the airline to stop operational activity with its remaining Boeing 737-400SF. The company entered restructuring under Colombia's Law 1116 and was put up for sale.
- 2021
LAS Cargo added a Boeing 737-400SF[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The airline added a Boeing 737-400SF in December 2021, becoming its later-generation narrow-body freighter platform.
- 2020
Boeing 727 veered off the runway in Venezuela[1]
Other
On October 20, 2020, the same Boeing 727, HK-4637, veered off the runway while landing at Arturo Michelena International Airport. Wet grass contributed to landing-gear damage; all three crew members were uninjured and the aircraft was repaired.
- 2019
LAS Cargo introduced a Boeing 737-300SF[1]
Product generation · Product launch
Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas added a Boeing 737-300SF converted freighter to its fleet.
- 2018
Boeing 727 suffered a hard landing at El Dorado[1]
Other
On May 28, 2018, Boeing 727-200F HK-4637 made a hard landing at El Dorado International Airport and its nose landing gear collapsed. The five crew members were uninjured and the aircraft was repaired.
- 2003
DC-9 freighter crashed near Mitú[1]
Other
On December 18, 2003, LAS Flight 4246, a Douglas DC-9-15F registered as HK-4246X, crashed near Mitú. All three people aboard died.
- 2001
Sud Aviation Caravelle crashed during an emergency landing attempt[1]
Other
On January 31, 2001, a LAS Sud Aviation Caravelle crashed near El Alcaraván Airport while attempting an emergency landing. Three of the six occupants died.
- 1991
Curtiss C-46 crashed during approach to El Dorado[1]
Other
On December 11, 1991, LAS aircraft HK-2716 was flown into a hill during approach to Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport. All eight occupants died.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/líneas-aéreas-suramericanas · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled