note

Aero Continente was full service passenger and cargo airline which began operations in July 1993. It became Peru's largest airline after the demise of AeroPeru in 1999. It originally began operations as a domestic carrier, but soon expanded to other South American countries, as well as the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, and Miami.

In 1999 Aero Continente established its subsidiary in Chile, which operated domestic services within Chile, as well as flights to Miami. It was shut down by the Chilean Government in 2002 because of suspected drug trafficking allegations against founder Fernando Zevallos..

Another wholly owned subsidiary, Aero Continente Dominicana, was set up in the Domincan Republic in 2001. It operated a single aircraft between Santo Domingo and Miami. Flights ended in 2003.

In June 2004 US authorities banned Aero Continente from flying to the US and restricted US companies from dealing with the airline due to alleged drug trafficking. This resulted in the cancellation of the airline's insurance, forcing it into bankruptcy. Zevallos was found guilty of drug trafficking and money laundering and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

In 2005 there was an attempt to restart operations using the name Nuevo Continente, however the reputation of the predecessor company created too many barriers to overcome.

founded - demised (age)

January 4 1992 - October 20 2004  (12)

headquarters

, Lima

web

base airports

SPJC Jorge Chávez International Lima
SCEL Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Santiago	Aero Continente Chile
MDSD Las Américas International Santo Domingo	Aero Continente Dominicana

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