TAMEEQ

TAME (Transportes Aéreos Militares Ecuatorianos) was Ecuador's flag carrier airline, founded on December 17, 1962, as a branch of the Ecuadorian Air Force. The airline's name translates to "Ecuadorian Military Air Transport," reflecting its military origins. For nearly six decades, TAME served as Ecuador's primary domestic carrier and the main airline connecting mainland Ecuador to the Galapagos Islands.

Originally established by colonels Luis A. Ortega and Guillermo Freile Posso, TAME began operations with Douglas C-47s on domestic routes. The airline grew to become Ecuador's largest carrier, operating both domestic and limited international services to Colombia and the United States. In 2011, TAME transitioned from Ecuadorian Air Force administration to become a state-owned commercial entity, though it retained its military heritage in name and identity.

TAME ceased all operations on May 19, 2020, when the Ecuadorian government under President Lenin Moreno announced the airline's liquidation. Years of accumulated losses—reportedly over $400 million in the five years preceding closure—combined with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the decision to shut down the carrier as part of broader measures to reduce state spending.