Argentina’s low-cost startup Flybondi has surpassed Andes Lineas Aereas as the country’s third largest airline, and is seeking 361 potential new route authorities to secure its long-term expansion.
Flybondi, which began service four months ago, has requested Argentina’s civil aviation authority ANAC to award it the permits to operate flights on 361 domestic and international city pairs in addition to the 85 route rights it already holds.
Rather than operating from the controversial new Buenos Aires El Palomar low-cost airport, the routes requested by Flybondi underline a network development strategy that prioritises connecting cities in Argentina’s interior, avoiding the traditional Buenos Aires-centric strategy of its competitors.
Destinations in Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Colombia have been confirmed as candidates for receiving Flybondi’s upcoming international flights.
Flybondi, which launched flights on 26 January, surpassed Andes in May as the country’s third largest airline. Aerolineas Argentinas, with its Austral subsidiary, continues to dominate the domestic market with a 70% market share, followed by LATAM Airlines Argentina (14%), Flybondi (7%), Andes (6%) and Avianca Argentina (1%).
Source: Cirium Dashboard
