Aeronica Tupolev TU-154M - YN-CBT "Momotombo"

The political and revolutionary turmoil that engulfed Nicaragua during the Cold War also greatly affected the country’s commercial aviation. Having ruled the Central American nation for decades, the Somoza Family was ousted by the revolutionary Sandinistas in 1979. This also led to the shutdown of the country’s flag carrier, LANICA, which was majority-owned by the ruling Somoza family. The Junta then in power, formed Aerolíneas Nicaragüenses S.A., branded as Aeronica, as its successor in 1981. Due to an international embargo which made it increasingly impossible to keep LANICA’s fleet of Boeing aircraft airworthy due to lack of spares, the airline turned to Soviet-built aircraft to bolster its international routes. Named for one of the largest volcanoes of the country, Momotombo, the factory-new TU-154M arrived in Managua on December 20th, 1989. For a little over two years, she was a frequent visitor to Mexico City as well as other cities throughout Latin America. Following the end of the civil war and reelections in 1992 which again brought with it political and economic changes, the airline was shut down. “Momotombo” with her unusual and colorful livery was grounded and parked at Managua International Airport before finally being purchased by Russia’s Omskavia in 1997, and later again being sold on to Mahan Air of Iran where she saw use at least until the year 2005.