What Is Guatemalan Airlines?

The DC3 helped TAG break Aviateca's monopoly.

Guatemalan Airlines is the English translation of Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos (TAG), a private airline based at Guatemala La Aurora International Airport. As of 2009, it is the largest airline in Guatemala and offers international and domestic charter flights, as well as ambulance and agricultural flights.

History

TAG was founded in 1969 in Guatemala City, pioneering civil aviation in Guatemala. By 1972, with the purchase of a DC3, Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos had broken the state run monopoly of Aviateca--an airline run by the government. It was the first Guatemalan company to be certified as Air Operator by the Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil de Guatemala (DGAC)--which translates in English as the general directory of civil aviation in Guatemala--and founded the Guatemalan Airline Association and the Cargo Airlines Union of the Industry Chamber.

Destinations

TAG offers both charter and regularly scheduled flights from Guatemala City to many destinations, both national and international. Regular--almost daily--destinations include Mexico (Cancun, Chetumal, Acapulco, Mexico D.F.); Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and Roatan, Utila, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa in Honduras); the Caribbean; and the United States according to costumer needs. Within Guatemala, the airline travels to Xela, Flores (Tikal), Puerto Barrios, Xetulul, Antigua, Zacapa, Chiquimula and Panajachel. It offers scheduled flights between the capital of Guatemala and Mundo Maya International Airport.

Other Services

As well as chartered flights for business, personal or tourism purposes, TAG offers cargo services for national and international flights, 24-hour air ambulance service, aircraft rental for personal use, planes and helicopters for firefighting, and aerial fumigation for crops.

Planes

As of 2010, TAG uses five types of planes--Embraer 110, Saab 340A, Sabreliner, Piper PA-23 Aztec, Piper PA-31 Navajo--and two helicopters, Long Ranger Bell 206L and Ecureuil AS350B. Most of the planes are twin engine with seating for less than eight passengers; however, the Embraer can seat 19 and the Saab 340A is a 30- to 36-seat commuter plane. TAG requires a reservation of at least two passengers for its charter flights. The helicopter is generally used for firefighting, air ambulance and short tours of the country.

Current Status

Currently, TAG is one of Guatemala's leading airlines with a distinguished safety record. It has more than 70 carefully trained and specialized employees properly certified to fly all its aircrafts, as well as its own maintenance shop endorsed by the manufacturing companies of the aircraft. All of TAG's mechanics have been trained and certified by Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil de Guatemala, the general director of Guatemalan civil aviation.

References

• TAG - Airlines
• Transportes Aereos Guatemaltecos