The Top Latin American Aviation News Of 2023

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’s take a look at the biggest aviation news of 2023 from the region.

The airlines that ceased operations: Viva Air, Ultra Air, Aeromar, Amaszonas, EQUAIR

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’s Itapemirim Transportes Aéreos).

In 2023, the region lost five airlines: two Colombian, one Mexican, one Paraguayan, and one Ecuadorian.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

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’s fourth largest airline (well behind the top three, Volaris, Aeromexico, and Viva Aerobus), ceased operations on February 15, 2023. 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’s closure.

A couple of weeks after that, Colombia was struck twice, with the disappearance of two companies back-to-back. First, Viva Air – the ultra-low-cost carrier – announced its bankruptcy after months of financially struggling and unsuccessfully trying to merge with avianca. Viva Air was definitely the largest airline to 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 São Paulo and Buenos Aires.

Two weeks after Viva’s disappearance, Ultra Air –another ULCC– also folded in Colombia. This airline was launched in 2021 but faced severe liquidity problems, struggling to meet its short-term obligations. Their bankruptcies left Colombia’s 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 with the launch of JetSMART Colombia.

In October, Ecuador lost EQUAIR, 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.

Photo: Inga Locmele | Shutterstock

Finally, the Bolivian carrier Amaszonas lost its Air Operator Certificate (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.

The airlines that began: Aerus, BermudAir, Mexicana de Aviación, Señor Air, and Wingo Panama

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. Aerus was the first to begin flying in April, 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 signing a Letter of Intent with Eviation to acquire 30 Alice all-electric aircraft.

In December, two more airlines appeared in Mexico. First, Señor Air, a company based in San José del Cabo (SJD), launched flights with a single Embraer E145 aircraft. Then, on December 26, the Mexican government relaunched Mexicana de Aviación, a company that had ceased operations in August 2010. This new iteration of the iconic brand is managed by the country’s army and based in the Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

Photo: Secretaría de Gobernación

Finally, talking about Mexico, the country also inaugurated a new airport in 2023: Tulum International (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 Aviación.

In Panama, the ultra-low-cost carrier Wingo opened a new branch in 2023. 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.

Finally, we can also add BermudAir to 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, this has changed now.

In 2024, we could see the launch of at least two new airlines, Ecuacondor in Ecuador and JetSMART Colombia.

Airline orders: Viva Aerobus, LATAM, Avianca, Volaris, and more

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:

• Aerolíneas Argentinas – ordered 12 new Embraer E195-E2 jets
• Aerus – signed a LoI for 30 commuter all-electric Alice aircraft
• avianca – announced an investment of $473 million to acquire 14 new Airbus A320neo and two new A320ceo from leasing companies
• Azul – ordered four new A330neos
• LATAM – ordered 13 A321neos and five Boeing 787 Dreamliners
• Viva Aerobus – signed an MoU for 90 A321neo aircraft
• Volaris – ordered 25 A321neos

Transforming avianca

In October, the Colombian carrier avianca introduced a new branding and business model. The airline changed its name from Avianca to avianca, showing that this latest iteration of the company is accessible to everyone.

Photo: avianca

The new avianca simplified and reconfigured its business model. It is now a hybrid company, with many low-cost initiatives, but also maintaining a business class scheme recently improved by teaming up with one of the World’s 50 best-ranked chefs.

Abra Group’s developments: including Aerolíneas Argentinas

GOL Linhas Aéreas and avianca launched in 2022 the Abra Group. This holding aims to bring these two carriers “under a single leadership, anchoring a pan-Latin American network of airlines.”

In 2023, these two airlines strengthened their collaboration. GOL was approved a fifth freedom route between Sao Paulo Guarulhos and Buenos Aires Ezeiza via Bogota El Dorado.

Photo: Anibal Trejo | Shutterstock

The Abra Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aerolíneas Argentinas to strengthen the collaboration between both parties, specifically in commercial, operation, and technology areas.

Additionally, the holding was linked to adding Chile’s Sky Airline as its next company, although no further details have emerged since. Finally, they announced Adrian Neuhauser will step into the role of CEO of Abra Group effective in January 2024.

Delta Air Lines & LATAM’s Joint Venture Agreement

In 2023, Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group’s Joint Venture launched and announced new routes and services between the United States and South America. Some routes already launched through this partnership include Orlando-Bogotá, Los Angeles-Sao Paulo, Medellín-Miami, and a second Lima-Atlanta frequency, all operated by LATAM. Additionally, Delta introduced its second daily flight between Atlanta and Bogotá.

Photo: Thiago B Trevisan | Shutterstock

This December, in addition to the Rio de Janeiro-Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro-New York/JFK frequencies, the partners introduced the Atlanta to Cartagena route, launched by Delta on December 22.

Did we miss any important news in the region? Let us know in the comments below.