SAM Boeing 727
Sociedad Aeronautica de Medellin (SAM) was formed in 1945 in an effort to use air travel to better connect Medellin--which is surrounded by mountains--to the rest of Colombia. Like many postwar startups, its first equipment was a war surplus C-47/DC-3 Skytrain. SAM concentrated first on establishing a cargo service between Medellin and Miami, FL to bring in American investment. Domestic services were started in 1947, and by 1950, SAM was able to extend its route network south to Rio de Janiero as well. It remained an all-cargo airline until 1955, when Douglas DC-4s were obtained under a partnership with KLM.
Because of the wide-open nature of the South American airline market, and a number of other airlines in Colombia competing for a relatively small market share, SAM was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1962. It was rescued by Avianca Colombia, which bought a controlling interest, although SAM continued to be its own airline. Avianca's investment allowed it to expand beyond Colombia and its two international routes throughout Central America. It was among the first South American airlines to operate turboprop aircraft (Lockheed L-188 Electras), and joined the jet age in the early 1970s with the acquisition of Boeing 727s.
Colombia's instability and economic issues caused SAM to downsize in the late 1990s, concentrating on its domestic and Central American destinations; it dropped its service to Miami and Rio. Despite a modernization, with new Airbus A318s replacing the 727s, SAM struggled in a deregulated Colombian airline market, and by 2010 it once more was in bankruptcy. Avianca absorbed SAM that year.
This 727, HK-1271, carries SAM's 1980s-1990s style livery. It was a former Avianca aircraft handed over to SAM in 1981; it stayed with the airline until 1994, and is one of a handful of 727s still in revenue service, with Lineas Aereas Suramericanas.
SAM Boeing 727
Sociedad Aeronautica de Medellin (SAM) was formed in 1945 in an effort to use air travel to better connect Medellin--which is surrounded by mountains--to the rest of Colombia. Like many postwar startups, its first equipment was a war surplus C-47/DC-3 Skytrain. SAM concentrated first on establishing a cargo service between Medellin and Miami, FL to bring in American investment. Domestic services were started in 1947, and by 1950, SAM was able to extend its route network south to Rio de Janiero as well. It remained an all-cargo airline until 1955, when Douglas DC-4s were obtained under a partnership with KLM.
Because of the wide-open nature of the South American airline market, and a number of other airlines in Colombia competing for a relatively small market share, SAM was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1962. It was rescued by Avianca Colombia, which bought a controlling interest, although SAM continued to be its own airline. Avianca's investment allowed it to expand beyond Colombia and its two international routes throughout Central America. It was among the first South American airlines to operate turboprop aircraft (Lockheed L-188 Electras), and joined the jet age in the early 1970s with the acquisition of Boeing 727s.
Colombia's instability and economic issues caused SAM to downsize in the late 1990s, concentrating on its domestic and Central American destinations; it dropped its service to Miami and Rio. Despite a modernization, with new Airbus A318s replacing the 727s, SAM struggled in a deregulated Colombian airline market, and by 2010 it once more was in bankruptcy. Avianca absorbed SAM that year.
This 727, HK-1271, carries SAM's 1980s-1990s style livery. It was a former Avianca aircraft handed over to SAM in 1981; it stayed with the airline until 1994, and is one of a handful of 727s still in revenue service, with Lineas Aereas Suramericanas.