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{{Short description|Argentine low-cost airline}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}} |
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{{Infobox airline |
{{Infobox airline |
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|airline |
| airline = Flybondi |
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|logo |
| logo = Flybondi logo simple.svg |
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|logo_size |
| logo_size = 200 |
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|fleet_size |
| fleet_size = 19 (as of December 2024) |
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|destinations = |
| destinations = 23 (as of December 2024) |
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|IATA |
| IATA = FO |
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|ICAO |
| ICAO = FBZ |
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|callsign |
| callsign = BONDI |
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|founded |
| founded = {{start date and age|2016|09}} |
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|commenced |
| commenced = {{start date and age|2018|01|26}}<ref name="launch"/> |
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|headquarters = [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] |
| headquarters = [[Buenos Aires]], [[Argentina]] |
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|Alliance |
| Alliance = |
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|key_people |
| key_people = Mauricio Sana (CEO) |
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|parent |
| parent = |
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| bases = [[Aeroparque Jorge Newbery|Buenos Aires–Aeroparque]] |
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|bases = <div> |
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| focus_cities = [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba]] |
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* {{nowrap|[[El Palomar Airport|Buenos Aires–El Palomar]]}} |
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| frequent_flyer = |
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* [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba]] |
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| |
| lounge = |
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| website = {{URL|https://flybondi.com/ar|http://flybondi.com}} |
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|frequent_flyer = |
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|lounge = |
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|website = [http://www.flybondi.com flybondi.com] |
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|company_slogan = ''La libertad de volar'' <br>(English: ''The freedom to fly'') |
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}} |
}} |
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'''FB Líneas Aéreas S.A.''', operating as '''Flybondi''', is a [[low-cost airline|ultra low-cost airline]] in [[Argentina]]. The airline, the first of its kind in the country, operates [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]] aircraft from its bases in [[Buenos Aires]] and [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]]. The company slogan is ''La libertad de volar'', meaning "The freedom of flying" in Spanish. |
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==History== |
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'''FB Líneas Aéreas S.A.''', operating as '''Flybondi''', is the first [[low-cost airline]] in [[Argentina]]. The airline operates [[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]] aircraft, with bases in [[Buenos Aires]] and [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]]. All aircraft will be [[aircraft registration|registered]] in Argentina. The airline's inaugural flight from [[Cordoba, Argentina|Córdoba]]'s [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport]] to [[Puerto Iguazú]]'s [[Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport]] took place on 26 January 2018.<ref name="launch">{{cite news |title=Con el primer vuelo de Flybondi, arrancó la era de las low cost en Argentina |first= |last= |newspaper=Clarín |date=26 January 2018 |url=https://www.clarin.com/viajes/primer-vuelo-flybondi-arranco-low-cost-argentinas_0_SySfWMtrG.html}}{{es}}</ref> |
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===Background=== |
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Speculation about the creation of a new airline began in the first half of 2016, shortly after the inauguration of President [[Mauricio Macri]], who promised to open up Argentina's skies with the implementation of more modern laws and the reduction of bureaucracy to facilitate the creation of new airlines, since until then, the South American country was one of the most bureaucratic and restrictive in the world in terms of air transport policy. In this context, speculation indicated that the [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Low-cost_carrier#Ultra_low-cost_carrier|ultra low-cost carrier]] [[Ryanair]] was working to create a subsidiary in Argentina through Declan Ryan and the Irelandia Aviation group, which was behind the creation of two other low-cost airlines in [[Latin America]], [[VivaAerobus]] in Mexico and [[Viva Air]] in Colombia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-20|title=Declan Ryan: 'Vamos a triplicar el total de argentinos que viajan en avión'|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/declan-ryan-vamos-a-triplicar-el-total-de-argentinos-que-viajan-en-avion-nid1909895/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=[[La Nación]]|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Hasse|first=Javier|date=2016-06-10|title=RyanAir To Land In Argentina, Seeking To Capture Underserved, Low-Cost Market|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ryanair-land-argentina-seeking-capture-210221283.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKrik9FbUTt3V-ICdxXSt53nCmOMHj0ChpETADhXhHiuyHcf8WYdFDX3iO55Z_mfiOoXTRLvTNp7Sj7G-QGbmYSANp1OYiQd6g-eesL675e3XqxblT0FdoWXrx0pLN-mAkgPfYdxyZkLchSorO_y4JgJ0VZbckpPwkYUqgVyhGrX|access-date=2024-11-25|website=[[Yahoo Finance]]|language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-09-06|title=Otra Vez RyanAir Sobrevuela la Argentina. Esta Vez con Declan Ryan en Persona |url=https://www.aviacionnews.com/2016/06/otra-vez-ryanair-sobrevuela-la-argentina-esta-vez-con-declan-ryan-en-persona/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aviación News|language=ES}}</ref> |
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[[File:Flybondi B-738 LV-HFQ.jpg|262px|thumb|[[Boeing 737-800]] reg. LV-HFQ in former livery taxiing at [[Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport]]]] |
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In June 2016, the Argentine newspaper [[La Nación]], citing sources close to Irelandia Aviation, mentioned the possibility of acquiring the airline [[Andes Líneas Aéreas]] to transform it into the ultra-low-cost airline planned by the group, just as the Brazilian group Synergy Aerospace, controlling shareholder of [[Avianca Holdings]] and owner of [[Avianca Brasil]] (Oceanair), did with Macair Jet, which became [[Avianca Argentina]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nadalet |first=Ivan |date=2016-06-22|title=Irelandia Aviation targets Argentina |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/47244-irelandia-aviation-targets-argentina|access-date=2024-11-25|website=ch-aviation|language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-21|title=Ryanair starts operating in Argentina in 2017|url=https://www.aeroflap.com.br/en/ryanair-starts-operating-in-argentina-in-2017/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aeroflap|language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-20|title=Cofundador de Ryanair dice que considera expansión en Argentina|url=https://www.latercera.com/pulso/cofundador-de-ryanair-dice-que-considera-expansion-en-argentina/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=[[La Tercera]]|language=ES}}</ref> |
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===Establishment=== |
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The creation of Flybondi, Argentina's first [[Low-cost_carrier#Ultra_low-cost_carrier|ultra-low-cost airline]] (ULCC), was announced in September 2016 by a group of Argentine businessmen, supported by funds from big names in the aviation industry, such as Michael Cawley, member of the board of [[Ryanair]], Montie Brewer, former CEO of [[Air Canada]] and Robert Wright, founder of [[CityFlyer Express|British Airways Citiflyer Express]] and shareholder and former non-executive director at [[Wizz Air]], as well as Argentine Gastón Parisier and Swiss Julian Cook, founder and former CEO of Switzerland's [[Baboo (airline)|FlyBaboo]]. Together, the investors would have contributed US$ 75 million with the aim of starting operations in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gimenez Mazó|first=Edgardo|date=2016-10-02|title=Flybondi, ¿la primera ultra low cost argentina?|url=https://aviacionline.com/2016/10/flybondi-la-primera-ultra-low-cost-argentina/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aviacionline|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Popovic|first=Luka |date=2016-10-07|title=Argentina's Flybondi outlines operational plans|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/49916-argentinas-flybondi-outlines-operational-plans|access-date=2024-11-25|website=ch-aviation|language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gimenez Mazó|first=Edgardo |date=2016-10-02|title=El sitio web de FlyBondi, proyecto de low cost argentina|url=https://aviacionline.com/2016/10/el-sitio-web-de-flybondi-proyecto-de-low-cost-argentina/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aviacionline|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Moores|first=Victoria|date=2016-06-30|title=Argentine ultra-LCC Flybondi plans 2017 launch |url=https://aviationweek.com/atw/daily-news/argentine-ultra-lcc-flybondi-plans-2017-launch|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aviation Week|language=EN}}</ref> |
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''Bondi'' is the name given to urban public transport buses in [[Argentina]]. As an ultra-low-cost airline, the company's intention was to make it as popular and accessible as a bus. Therefore, Flybondi literally means flying bus. The initial idea was to call it Air Bondi, but on the recommendation of an advertising agency, due to the risk of conflict with the name of the European aircraft manufacturer [[Airbus]], it was decided to use the prefix fly instead of air.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Del Rio|first=José|date=2024-08-22|title=Cuáles son los secretos de Gastón Parisier, el mago que creó Big Box y cofundó Flybondi|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/economia/negocios/cuales-son-los-secretos-de-gaston-parisier-el-mago-que-creo-big-box-y-cofundo-flybondi-nid22082024/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=[[La Nación]]|language=ES}}</ref> |
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In October 2016, the airline revealed its initial plans, intending to fly to [[Comodoro Rivadavia]], [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]], [[El Calafate]], [[Mendoza, Argentina|Mendoza]], [[Neuquén]], [[Resistencia, Chaco|Resistencia]], [[Puerto Iguazú]], [[Río Gallegos]], [[Salta]], [[San Carlos de Bariloche]], [[Tucumán]] and [[Ushuaia]] with a fleet of six aircraft. And although it was considering both [[Airbus]] and [[Boeing]] narrobody models, according to co-founder Julian Cook, Flybondi's preference would be the [[Boeing 737-800]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Popovic|first=Luka |date=2016-10-07|title=Argentina's Flybondi outlines operational plans|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/49916-argentinas-flybondi-outlines-operational-plans|access-date=2024-11-25|website=ch-aviation|language=EN}}</ref> |
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On December 5, 2016, during the first public hearing held in 11 years by the Argentine Ministry of Economy for airlines to request new routes, Flybondi defined as its main base of operations [[El Palomar Airport]], located 18 kilometers from [[Buenos Aires]], requesting to fly to and from the aerodrome that, until then, served as an air base for the [[Argentine Air Force]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gimenez Mazó|first=Edgardo|date=2016-12-05|title=#AeroAudiencia2016: Flybondi opta por El Palomar y va por 99 rutas (!)|url=https://aviacionline.com/2016/12/audiencia2016-flybondi-opta-por-el-palomar-y-va-por-99-rutas/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Aviacionline|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-12-05|title=Flybondi pidió Palomar como base de operaciones|url=https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2016/12/flybondi-pidio-palomar-como-base-de-operaciones/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=Sir Chandler|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=do Rosario|first=Jorgelina|date=2016-12-06|title=Los vuelos low cost, cada vez más cerca: la empresa Flybondi pidió operar 99 rutas aéreas|url=https://www.infobae.com/economia/2016/12/06/los-vuelos-low-cost-cada-vez-mas-cerca-la-empresa-flybondi-pidio-operar-99-rutas-aereas/|access-date=2024-11-25|website=[[Infobae]]|language=ES}}</ref> |
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[[File:USH07.jpg|262px|thumb|[[Boeing 737-800]] reg. LV-HKN in current livery in [[Ushuaia]]]] |
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On March 16, 2017, Flybondi co-founder and [[CEO]] Julian Cook officially announced the choice of the [[Boeing 737-800|Boeing 737]] for the new Argentine airline's fleet, announcing that they would be configured with 189 seats in a single-class layout.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-03-15|title=Flybondi confirmó que volará con Boeing 737-800|url=https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/03/flybondi-confirmo-volara-boeing-737-800-no-dice-cuantos/|access-date=2024-11-27|website=Sir Chandler|language=ES}}</ref> And in May of the same year, he announced the signing of the lease agreement with [[SMBC Aviation Capital]] for his first aircraft, with plans to lease nine more later that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-05-17|title=Flybondi firmó el contrato de leasing por su primer avión y tendrá una flota de 10 aeronaves en 2018|url=https://www.eldiariodeturismo.com.ar/2017/05/16/flybondi-firmo-el-contrato-de-leasing-por-su-primer-avion-tendra-una-flota-de-10-aeronaves-en-2018/|access-date=2024-11-27|website=El Diario de Turismo|language=ES}}</ref> |
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Flybondi's first aircraft, the [[Boeing 737-800]] registration LV-HKS ({{Tooltip|MSN|Manufacturer Serial Number}} 33821) named Nelson, was officially delivered on December 2.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gimenez Mazó|first=Edgardo|date=2017-12-02|title=Llegó a la Argentina el primer avión de Flybondi|url=https://aviacionline.com/2017/12/llego-a-la-argentina-el-primer-avion-de-flybondi/|access-date=2024-11-27|website=Aviacionline|language=ES}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-12-05|title=Flybondi.com and SMBC Aviation Capital mark delivery of the airline's first aircraft|url=https://www.smbc.aero/news/2017/flybondicom-and-smbc-aviation-capital-mark-delivery-airlines-first-aircraft|access-date=2024-11-27|website=[[SMBC Aviation Capital]]|language=EN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yeo|first=Ghim-Lay|date=2017-12-05|title=PICTURE: Flybondi marks delivery of first 737|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/picture-flybondi-marks-delivery-of-first-737/126381.article|access-date=2024-11-27|website=[[FlightGlobal]]|language=EN}}</ref> |
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===Operations=== |
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The airline's inaugural flight from [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport]] in [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]] to [[Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport]] in [[Puerto Iguazú|Puerto Iguazu]] took place 26 January 2018.<ref name="launch">{{cite news |title=Con el primer vuelo de Flybondi, arrancó la era de las low cost en Argentina |newspaper=Clarín |date=26 January 2018 |url=https://www.clarin.com/viajes/primer-vuelo-flybondi-arranco-low-cost-argentinas_0_SySfWMtrG.html |language=es}}</ref> |
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The first routes were launched from its base at [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba International Airport]] in January 2018, to the cities of [[Mendoza, Argentina|Mendoza]], [[Bariloche]] and [[Puerto Iguazú]]. In February 2018, the airline was the first civilian airline to operate from [[El Palomar Airport]] near [[Buenos Aires]], where it established a new base and began flights to [[Salta]], [[Neuquén]], and [[Tucumán, Tucumán|Tucumán]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Flybondi presentó su primer avión y vuela desde el 3 de enero |newspaper=LaVoz |date=6 December 2017 |url=http://www.lavoz.com.ar/negocios/flybondi-presento-su-primer-avion-y-vuela-desde-el-3-de-enero |language=es}}</ref> |
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Flybondi went international on December 17, 2018, with flights between El Palomar in the Greater Buenos Aires area and the Paraguayan capital Asunción.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://en.mercopress.com/2018/11/09/flybondi-to-cross-the-border-in-december-with-asuncion-punta-del-este-services|title=Flybondi to cross the border in December with Asunción, Punta del Este services|website=MercoPress|date=9 November 2018|accessdate=30 November 2018}}</ref> |
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In July 2019, the airline announced that it would start flights between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The flights started operating 11 October 2019, departing from the airline's main base at Buenos Aires' El Palomar Airport to Galeão Airport in Rio de Janeiro. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/07/05/flybondi-to-start-flights-to-brazil-keeps-low-cost-growth-in-south-america/|title=Flybondi to Start Flights to Brazil, Keeps Low-Cost Growth in South America|last=Machado|first=João|date=2019-07-05|website=AirlineGeeks.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref> |
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On December 5, 2024, Flybondi received a ultimatum from the [[National Civil Aviation Administration]] of Argentina to present a plan to reduce cancellations after 70 flights were canceled that past weekend, leaving over 12,000 stranded.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://buenosairesherald.com/business/service/flybondi-gets-government-ultimatum-over-cancellations | title=Flybondi gets government ultimatum over cancellations }}</ref> This came across much larger criticisms for Flybondi's tendency for large, unannounced delays, being ranked the 3rd worst in the world for delays by FlightAware.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://buenosairesherald.com/society/flybondi-among-worlds-worst-for-delayed-and-canceled-flights | title=Flybondi among world's worst for delayed and canceled flights }}</ref> |
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==Destinations== |
==Destinations== |
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{{Main|List of Flybondi destinations}} |
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The first routes were launched from its base at [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport|Córdoba International Airport]] in January 2018, to the cities of [[Mendoza, Argentina|Mendoza]], [[Bariloche]] and [[Puerto Iguazú]]. In February 2018, the airline was the first civilian airline to operate from [[El Palomar Airport]] near [[Buenos Aires]], where it established a new base and began flights to [[Salta]], [[Neuquén]], [[Tucumán, Tucumán|Tucumán]], .<ref>{{cite news |title=Flybondi presentó su primer avión y vuela desde el 3 de enero |first= |last= |newspaper=LaVoz |date=6 December 2017 |url=http://www.lavoz.com.ar/negocios/flybondi-presento-su-primer-avion-y-vuela-desde-el-3-de-enero}}{{es}}</ref> |
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{{As of|2024|11}}, Flybondi operates or has operated to the following destinations: |
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In July, 2019, the airline announced that it will start flights between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The flights will start operating from 11 October 2019, going from the airline's main base at Buenos Aires' El Palomar Airport to Galeão Airport in Rio de Janeiro. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/07/05/flybondi-to-start-flights-to-brazil-keeps-low-cost-growth-in-south-america/|title=Flybondi to Start Flights to Brazil, Keeps Low-Cost Growth in South America|last=Machado|first=João|date=2019-07-05|website=AirlineGeeks.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-12}}</ref> |
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{|class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto;" |
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|style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| |
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|Base |
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|style="background-color:#FFFF80"| |
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|Future |
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|style="background-color:#DDDDDD"| |
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|Terminated |
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{|Class="wikitable" style= "text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;" |
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!style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Country |
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!style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|City |
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!style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Airport |
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!style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Notes |
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!style="background:#febe10; color:white;"class="unsortable|Refs |
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|rowspan=23| [[Argentina]] || [[Bahía Blanca]]||[[Comandante Espora Airport]]||{{Terminated}}|| |
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|rowspan=3| [[Buenos Aires]] || [[Aeroparque Jorge Newbery]] ||{{Airline hub|Base}}||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos">{{cite web|url=https://flybondi.com/ar/destinos|language=ES|title=Destinos|website=flybondi.com}}</ref> |
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| [[El Palomar Airport]] ||{{Terminated}}|| |
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| [[Ministro Pistarini International Airport]] ||{{Airline hub|Base}} ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Comodoro Rivadavia]]||[[General Enrique Mosconi International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Córdoba, Argentina|Córdoba]] || [[Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Corrientes]]||[[Doctor Fernando Piragine Niveyro International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[El Calafate]]||[[Comandante Armando Tola International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Mar del Plata]]||[[Ástor Piazzolla International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Mendoza, Argentina|Mendoza]] || [[Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Neuquén]] || [[Presidente Perón International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Posadas, Misiones|Posadas]]||[[Libertador General José de San Martín Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Puerto Iguazú]] || [[Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Puerto Madryn]]||[[El Tehuelche Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]] || [[Rosario – Islas Malvinas International Airport]] ||{{Terminated}}|| |
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| [[Salta]] || [[Martín Miguel de Güemes International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[San Carlos de Bariloche]]||[[San Carlos de Bariloche Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[San Juan, Argentina|San Juan]]||[[Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[San Miguel de Tucumán]] || [[Teniente General Benjamín Matienzo International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[San Salvador de Jujuy]]||[[Gobernador Horacio Guzmán International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Santiago del Estero]]||[[Vicecomodoro Ángel de la Paz Aragonés Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Trelew]]||[[Almirante Marcos A. Zar Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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| [[Ushuaia]] || [[Ushuaia – Malvinas Argentinas International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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|rowspan=3|[[Brazil]]||[[Florianópolis]]|||[[Hercílio Luz International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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|[[Rio de Janeiro]] || [[Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport]] || ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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|[[São Paulo]]||[[São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport]]|| ||style="text-align:center"|<ref name="Destinos"/> |
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|[[Paraguay]]||[[Asunción]]||[[Silvio Pettirossi International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}|| |
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|[[Uruguay]]||[[Punta del Este]]||[[Capitán de Corbeta Carlos A. Curbelo International Airport]]||{{Terminated}}|| |
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==Fleet== |
==Fleet== |
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===Current fleet=== |
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{{As of|2018|2}}, Flybondi operates the following aircraft:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airlines/fo-fbz/fleet|title=Flybondi Fleet|website=flightradar24.com|accessdate=5 November 2018}}</ref> |
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<center> |
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{{As of|2024|11}}, Flybondi operates the following aircraft:<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Flybondi |title=Flybondi Fleet Details and History |work=planespotters.net |access-date=2022-11-05 |language=en}}</ref> |
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{| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="3" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center" |
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|+ Flybondi fleet |
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{|Class="wikitable" style= "text-align:center; margin: 1em auto;" |
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|+Flybondi fleet |
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! style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Aircraft |
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! style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|In Service |
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! style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Orders |
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! style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Passengers |
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! style="background:#febe10; color:white;"|Note |
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|- |
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| rowspan="1" |[[Airbus A320]] |
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| rowspan="1" |2 |
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| rowspan="1" |— |
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| rowspan="1" |180 |
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|All wet-leased from [[Avion Express]] |
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|- |
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| rowspan="1" |[[Boeing 737-800]] |
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| rowspan="1" |17 |
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| rowspan="1" |— |
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| rowspan="1" |189 |
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|Two wet-leased from [[AlbaStar]]<br />Four {{Tooltip|std|stored}} for Maintenance |
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|- |
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!TOTAL |
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!19 |
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!— |
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! colspan="3" | |
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|} |
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===Gallery=== |
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<gallery mode="packed" caption="Flybondi current fleet"> |
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File:FLYBONDI-LVKEFgig011024hbs 5697.jpg|[[Boeing 737-800]] |
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File:Flybondi B-738 LV-HFQ.jpg|[[Boeing 737-800]] |
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File:FlyBondi Boeing 737-83N LV-HKR (2) (cropped).jpg|[[Boeing 737-800]] |
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</gallery> |
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===Former fleet=== |
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The following aircraft were formerly operated by Flybondi:<ref name=":0" /> |
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{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center" |
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|+ Flybondi retired fleet |
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|- |
|- |
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!Aircraft |
!Aircraft |
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!Number |
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!In Service |
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!Orders |
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!Passengers |
!Passengers |
||
!Notes |
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|- |
|- |
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|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]] |
|[[Boeing 737 Next Generation|Boeing 737-800]] |
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|5 |
|5 |
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|3<ref>{{cite web|title=Flybondi firmó el contrato de leasing por su primer avión y tendrá una flota de 10 aeronaves en 2018.pdf |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9iN-_UShO9VbC1nSm1GdG1XYjA/view}}</ref> |
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|189 |
|189 |
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| |
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|- |
|- |
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!Total |
!Total |
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!5 |
!5 |
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! |
! |
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!colspan="3"| |
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|} |
|} |
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</center> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons cat}} |
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* [http://www.flybondi.com Official Flybondi Website] |
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* {{official website}} |
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{{Portalbar|Argentina|Companies|Aviation}} |
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{{Airlines of Argentina}} |
{{Airlines of Argentina}} |
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{{Portalbar|Argentina|Companies|Aviation}} |
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[[Category:Airlines of Argentina]] |
[[Category:Airlines of Argentina]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Airlines established in 2016]] |
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[[Category:Low-cost carriers]] |
[[Category:Low-cost carriers]] |
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[[Category:Argentine companies established in 2016]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:15, 15 December 2024
 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | September 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | January 26, 2018[1] | ||||||
| Operating bases | Buenos Aires–Aeroparque | ||||||
| Focus cities | Córdoba | ||||||
| Fleet size | 19 (as of December 2024) | ||||||
| Destinations | 23 (as of December 2024) | ||||||
| Headquarters | Buenos Aires, Argentina | ||||||
| Key people | Mauricio Sana (CEO) | ||||||
| Website | http://flybondi.com | ||||||
FB Líneas Aéreas S.A., operating as Flybondi, is a ultra low-cost airline in Argentina. The airline, the first of its kind in the country, operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft from its bases in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. The company slogan is La libertad de volar, meaning "The freedom of flying" in Spanish.
History
[edit]Background
[edit]Speculation about the creation of a new airline began in the first half of 2016, shortly after the inauguration of President Mauricio Macri, who promised to open up Argentina's skies with the implementation of more modern laws and the reduction of bureaucracy to facilitate the creation of new airlines, since until then, the South American country was one of the most bureaucratic and restrictive in the world in terms of air transport policy. In this context, speculation indicated that the Irish ultra low-cost carrier Ryanair was working to create a subsidiary in Argentina through Declan Ryan and the Irelandia Aviation group, which was behind the creation of two other low-cost airlines in Latin America, VivaAerobus in Mexico and Viva Air in Colombia.[2][3][4]
In June 2016, the Argentine newspaper La Nación, citing sources close to Irelandia Aviation, mentioned the possibility of acquiring the airline Andes Líneas Aéreas to transform it into the ultra-low-cost airline planned by the group, just as the Brazilian group Synergy Aerospace, controlling shareholder of Avianca Holdings and owner of Avianca Brasil (Oceanair), did with Macair Jet, which became Avianca Argentina.[5][6][7]
Establishment
[edit]The creation of Flybondi, Argentina's first ultra-low-cost airline (ULCC), was announced in September 2016 by a group of Argentine businessmen, supported by funds from big names in the aviation industry, such as Michael Cawley, member of the board of Ryanair, Montie Brewer, former CEO of Air Canada and Robert Wright, founder of British Airways Citiflyer Express and shareholder and former non-executive director at Wizz Air, as well as Argentine Gastón Parisier and Swiss Julian Cook, founder and former CEO of Switzerland's FlyBaboo. Together, the investors would have contributed US$ 75 million with the aim of starting operations in 2017.[8][9][10][11]
Bondi is the name given to urban public transport buses in Argentina. As an ultra-low-cost airline, the company's intention was to make it as popular and accessible as a bus. Therefore, Flybondi literally means flying bus. The initial idea was to call it Air Bondi, but on the recommendation of an advertising agency, due to the risk of conflict with the name of the European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, it was decided to use the prefix fly instead of air.[12]
In October 2016, the airline revealed its initial plans, intending to fly to Comodoro Rivadavia, Córdoba, El Calafate, Mendoza, Neuquén, Resistencia, Puerto Iguazú, Río Gallegos, Salta, San Carlos de Bariloche, Tucumán and Ushuaia with a fleet of six aircraft. And although it was considering both Airbus and Boeing narrobody models, according to co-founder Julian Cook, Flybondi's preference would be the Boeing 737-800.[13]
On December 5, 2016, during the first public hearing held in 11 years by the Argentine Ministry of Economy for airlines to request new routes, Flybondi defined as its main base of operations El Palomar Airport, located 18 kilometers from Buenos Aires, requesting to fly to and from the aerodrome that, until then, served as an air base for the Argentine Air Force.[14][15][16]
On March 16, 2017, Flybondi co-founder and CEO Julian Cook officially announced the choice of the Boeing 737 for the new Argentine airline's fleet, announcing that they would be configured with 189 seats in a single-class layout.[17] And in May of the same year, he announced the signing of the lease agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital for his first aircraft, with plans to lease nine more later that year.[18]
Flybondi's first aircraft, the Boeing 737-800 registration LV-HKS (MSN 33821) named Nelson, was officially delivered on December 2.[19][20][21]
Operations
[edit]The airline's inaugural flight from Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport in Córdoba to Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport in Puerto Iguazu took place 26 January 2018.[1]
The first routes were launched from its base at Córdoba International Airport in January 2018, to the cities of Mendoza, Bariloche and Puerto Iguazú. In February 2018, the airline was the first civilian airline to operate from El Palomar Airport near Buenos Aires, where it established a new base and began flights to Salta, Neuquén, and Tucumán.[22]
Flybondi went international on December 17, 2018, with flights between El Palomar in the Greater Buenos Aires area and the Paraguayan capital Asunción.[23]
In July 2019, the airline announced that it would start flights between Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro. The flights started operating 11 October 2019, departing from the airline's main base at Buenos Aires' El Palomar Airport to Galeão Airport in Rio de Janeiro. [24]
On December 5, 2024, Flybondi received a ultimatum from the National Civil Aviation Administration of Argentina to present a plan to reduce cancellations after 70 flights were canceled that past weekend, leaving over 12,000 stranded.[25] This came across much larger criticisms for Flybondi's tendency for large, unannounced delays, being ranked the 3rd worst in the world for delays by FlightAware.[26]
Destinations
[edit]As of November 2024[update], Flybondi operates or has operated to the following destinations:
| Base | |
| Future | |
| Terminated |
Fleet
[edit]Current fleet
[edit]As of November 2024[update], Flybondi operates the following aircraft:[28]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 | 2 | — | 180 | All wet-leased from Avion Express | |
| Boeing 737-800 | 17 | — | 189 | Two wet-leased from AlbaStar Four std for Maintenance | |
| TOTAL | 19 | — | |||
Gallery
[edit]- Flybondi current fleet
-
-
-
_(cropped).jpg)
Former fleet
[edit]The following aircraft were formerly operated by Flybondi:[28]
| Aircraft | Number | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 737-800 | 5 | 189 |
| Total | 5 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Con el primer vuelo de Flybondi, arrancó la era de las low cost en Argentina". Clarín (in Spanish). 26 January 2018.
- ^ "Declan Ryan: 'Vamos a triplicar el total de argentinos que viajan en avión'". La Nación (in Spanish). 20 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Hasse, Javier (10 June 2016). "RyanAir To Land In Argentina, Seeking To Capture Underserved, Low-Cost Market". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Otra Vez RyanAir Sobrevuela la Argentina. Esta Vez con Declan Ryan en Persona". Aviación News (in Spanish). 6 September 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Nadalet, Ivan (22 June 2016). "Irelandia Aviation targets Argentina". ch-aviation. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Ryanair starts operating in Argentina in 2017". Aeroflap. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Cofundador de Ryanair dice que considera expansión en Argentina". La Tercera (in Spanish). 20 June 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Gimenez Mazó, Edgardo (2 October 2016). "Flybondi, ¿la primera ultra low cost argentina?". Aviacionline (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Popovic, Luka (7 October 2016). "Argentina's Flybondi outlines operational plans". ch-aviation. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Gimenez Mazó, Edgardo (2 October 2016). "El sitio web de FlyBondi, proyecto de low cost argentina". Aviacionline (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Moores, Victoria (30 June 2016). "Argentine ultra-LCC Flybondi plans 2017 launch". Aviation Week. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Del Rio, José (22 August 2024). "Cuáles son los secretos de Gastón Parisier, el mago que creó Big Box y cofundó Flybondi". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Popovic, Luka (7 October 2016). "Argentina's Flybondi outlines operational plans". ch-aviation. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ Gimenez Mazó, Edgardo (5 December 2016). "#AeroAudiencia2016: Flybondi opta por El Palomar y va por 99 rutas (!)". Aviacionline (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Flybondi pidió Palomar como base de operaciones". Sir Chandler (in Spanish). 5 December 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ do Rosario, Jorgelina (6 December 2016). "Los vuelos low cost, cada vez más cerca: la empresa Flybondi pidió operar 99 rutas aéreas". Infobae (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 November 2024.
- ^ "Flybondi confirmó que volará con Boeing 737-800". Sir Chandler (in Spanish). 15 March 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Flybondi firmó el contrato de leasing por su primer avión y tendrá una flota de 10 aeronaves en 2018". El Diario de Turismo (in Spanish). 17 May 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Gimenez Mazó, Edgardo (2 December 2017). "Llegó a la Argentina el primer avión de Flybondi". Aviacionline (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Flybondi.com and SMBC Aviation Capital mark delivery of the airline's first aircraft". SMBC Aviation Capital. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ Yeo, Ghim-Lay (5 December 2017). "PICTURE: Flybondi marks delivery of first 737". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Flybondi presentó su primer avión y vuela desde el 3 de enero". LaVoz (in Spanish). 6 December 2017.
- ^ "Flybondi to cross the border in December with Asunción, Punta del Este services". MercoPress. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ Machado, João (5 July 2019). "Flybondi to Start Flights to Brazil, Keeps Low-Cost Growth in South America". AirlineGeeks.com. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
- ^ "Flybondi gets government ultimatum over cancellations".
- ^ "Flybondi among world's worst for delayed and canceled flights".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Destinos". flybondi.com (in Spanish).
- ^ a b "Flybondi Fleet Details and History". planespotters.net. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flybondi.
