JACKSON FLORES / RIO DE JANEIRO
Argentinian carrier LAPA is slowly recovering lost ground in the domestic market after one of the most difficult periods of its 27-year history, as it bids to expand its international route network.
LAPA has recently sealed an operational alliance with Bolivian airline Aerosur, which holds a 45% stake in the Buenos Aires-based carrier. Named Alianza del Sur (Southern Alliance), the partnership will see both carriers start flying to Miami and Madrid during the second half of the year. The alliance will be open to other Latin American airlines, although no talks are under way.
The tie-up includes route rationalisation and codeshare services and has spurred a fleet-expansion plan for the two airlines. Two Airbus A300s will be delivered on lease early in the second half of 2003, for operation on services from Buenos Aires and Santa Cruz de la Sierra to Madrid and Miami. A final decision on which carrier will operate the A300s has not been made. LAPA also expects to take delivery of five Boeing 737-200s between April and August from a US lessor, while Aerosur will acquire five 727-200s. The 737-200s will allow the Argentinian carrier to recover domestic destinations that it surrendered during its lean years of 2001 and 2002, boost frequencies on existing routes and add new international destinations.
LAPA is aiming at achieve a 21% share of the domestic market by May and is targeting a return to its original 28% share by the end of the year. Traffic for 2003 is expected to be around 1.6 million passengers.
Source: Flight International
