{"id":11273,"date":"2023-12-30T09:13:21","date_gmt":"2023-12-30T06:13:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=11273"},"modified":"2023-12-30T09:13:21","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T06:13:21","slug":"the-top-latin-american-aviation-news-of-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviation-news.info\/?p=11273","title":{"rendered":"The Top Latin American Aviation News Of 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

Air aviation news- As 2023 is coming to an end, it is time to take a look at what happened in the Latin American aviation sector. There’s plenty to look back at, from the bankruptcy of several companies to the launch of many others and the many new aircraft orders recorded by companies such as LATAM, Volaris, avianca, and Viva Aerobus. Let\u2019s take a look at the biggest aviation news of 2023 from the region.<\/p>\n

The airlines that ceased operations: Viva Air, Ultra Air, Aeromar, Amaszonas, EQUAIR<\/h2>\n

Latin America is one of the most complex regions globally to launch, maintain, and turn an airline profitable. Many small carriers only last a few years before ceasing operations, completely bankrupt (some last even less; for instance, the six-month history of Brazil\u2019s Itapemirim Transportes A\u00e9reos).<\/p>\n

In 2023, the region lost five airlines: two Colombian, one Mexican, one Paraguayan, and one Ecuadorian.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"An<\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

It all began in Mexico, a country that has officially lost two airlines in the last three years (with perhaps a third ceasing operations at any point, Calafia Airlines). Aeromar, an ATR-based company and the country\u2019s fourth largest airline (well behind the top three, Volaris, Aeromexico, and Viva Aerobus),\u00a0ceased operations on February 15, 2023<\/a>. Aeromar operated in the country for 35 years, serving 21 domestic and three international destinations. However, it was linked to over $600 million in debt, which forced the airline\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n

A couple of weeks after that, Colombia was struck twice, with the disappearance of two companies back-to-back. First,\u00a0Viva Air<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 the ultra-low-cost carrier \u2013 announced its bankruptcy after months of financially struggling and unsuccessfully trying to merge with avianca.\u00a0Viva Air was definitely the largest airline<\/a>\u00a0to fold in the region this year. At its peak, the ULCC had 24 aircraft in Colombia and six in Peru, flying across the region, reaching destinations in the north like Orlando and Miami and in the south like S\u00e3o Paulo and Buenos Aires.<\/p>\n

Two weeks after Viva\u2019s disappearance,\u00a0Ultra Air \u2013another ULCC\u2013 also folded in Colombia<\/a>. This airline was launched in 2021 but faced severe liquidity problems, struggling to meet its short-term obligations. Their bankruptcies left Colombia\u2019s domestic market with a gap mostly served by avianca and LATAM. It also left the country without a true ULCC, although that could change in 2024\u00a0with the launch of JetSMART Colombia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In October,\u00a0Ecuador lost EQUAIR<\/a>, a small regional carrier with a fleet of three Boeing 737-700s. The company never truly had a chance, unable to compete against larger firms LATAM Ecuador and avianca Ecuador.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"An<\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Photo: Inga Locmele | Shutterstock<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Finally, the Bolivian carrier\u00a0Amaszonas lost its Air Operator Certificate<\/a>\u00a0(AOC) in November, and it is set to disappear shortly. The airline was forced to shut down in August after a dispute with a leasing company left it without planes to fly.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

The airlines that began: Aerus, BermudAir, Mexicana de Aviaci\u00f3n, Se\u00f1or Air, and Wingo Panama<\/h2>\n

Many airlines failed in the region, but many also began flying. Once again, we start our tour in Mexico, where three airlines launched operations in 2023.\u00a0Aerus was the first to begin flying in April<\/a>, with a fleet of Cessna aircraft. This company operates from Monterrey International Airport (MTY), connecting destinations across the country’s North and Gulf of Mexico regions. Aerus is more widely known for\u00a0signing a Letter of Intent with Eviation<\/a>\u00a0to acquire 30 Alice all-electric aircraft.<\/p>\n

In December, two more airlines appeared in Mexico. First, Se\u00f1or Air, a company based in San Jos\u00e9 del Cabo (SJD), launched flights with a single Embraer E145 aircraft. Then, on December 26, the Mexican government relaunched Mexicana de Aviaci\u00f3n, a company that had ceased operations in August 2010. This new iteration of the iconic brand is managed by the country\u2019s army and based in the Felipe \u00c1ngeles International Airport.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"A<\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Photo: Secretar\u00eda de Gobernaci\u00f3n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Finally, talking about Mexico, the country also inaugurated a new airport in 2023:\u00a0Tulum International<\/a>\u00a0(TQO). This airport is set to be served by six foreign carriers and three domestic in 2024: Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, Aeromexico, Viva Aerobus, and Mexicana de Aviaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

In Panama,\u00a0the ultra-low-cost carrier Wingo opened a new branch in 2023<\/a>. Wingo Panama is set to introduce the ULCC business model to the Central American country, allowing passengers to tailor their travel experience based on their preferences.<\/p>\n

Finally, we can also add\u00a0BermudAir<\/a>\u00a0to this list. The company launched operations from LF Wade International Airport in September. It originally planned to offer only business class seats on flights between Bermuda and the United States. However,\u00a0this has changed now<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2024, we could see the launch of at least two new airlines,\u00a0Ecuacondor in Ecuador<\/a>\u00a0and JetSMART Colombia.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

Airline orders: Viva Aerobus, LATAM, Avianca, Volaris, and more<\/h2>\n

A total of 195 aircraft were ordered in the region this year. Viva Aerobus was the company with the largest order, signing a Memorandum of Understanding for 90 Airbus A320neo-family-based aircraft during the Paris Air Show. These were the orders in the region:<\/p>\n