note
Second oldest airline in South America after Colombia's Avianca. Founded by Guillermo Kyllman with the help of German community in Bolivia, airline operated its first flight in September 1925 with a Junkers F-13 aircraft. In fact, Junkers Aircraft Company had owned a share in company. Airline grew steadily and flew International routes to Brazil and Peru. To counter German influence in South America, Panagra was charged with the task to curtail German influence in LAB. In May 1941, LAB has been nationalized and Panagra together with Pan Am provided technical assistance. Fleet was upgraded to U.S. built Lockheed Lodestars from Junkers Ju-52s. First jet aircraft a Boeing 727 was introduced in 1969. Brazilian airline VASP purchased 50% interest in LAB in 1995 and integrated livery and scheduled with its operations. In 2001 VASP ran into its own financial difficulty and sold its stake in LAB to Bolivia government. LAB acquired 50% stake in Ecuatoriana as a debt settlement in 2004. At its height, LAB operated scheduled domestic service as well as most South American capitals, Eastern USA, Cuba, Mexico and Madrid. LAB was shut down by Bolivian government March 30 2007 for financial and political reasons. Limited domestic charter service was to commence in July 2008, but this never occured and company was liquidated a year later.
founded - demised (age)
September 15 1925 - March 30 2007 (82)
headquarters
Casilla Correo 132, Cochabamba
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base airports
related operators
current /stored fleet (0)
