LanPeru and TACA Peru, backed by their main patrons LanChile and Grupo TACA, have replaced the fallen AeroPeru that was owned by Mexico's Cintra and Delta. Meanwhile, a home-grown Peruvian airline has also gained the right for flights to the USA.
LanPeru is first out of the gate. With two Peruvian companies - Peruval and Inversiones Aereas - owning 51%, LanPeru is more Peruvian than AeroPeru, which had only 30% local ownership. LanChile is LanPeru's single biggest backer. The airline is wet-leasing a Boeing 767-300 for Miami flights starting in the middle of November. LanChile has also seconded some officials to Lima, but most of LanPeru's senior management, including chief executive Lorenzo Souza, is Peruvian.
LanPeru started domestic flights three months ahead of Peru's second start-up. TACA Peru began serving Lima, Cuzco and Iquitos in October, using a Boeing 737-200 that Grupo TACA had originally scheduled for lease to AeroPeru. TACA Peru started life as TransAm, operated briefly a year ago, and then shut down. After securing TACA's backing it has resumed flights. It plans to add a second 737-200 to its fleet, followed by a new Airbus A319, both leased from TACA. It too has applied for international flights.
AeroContinente, which is 100% Peruvian, is the final player filling AeroPeru's vacuum. After months of deliberation, the US Department of Transportation (DoT) has approved AeroContinente's application for flights to Miami. AeroContinente's request was initially delayed by Fine Air's objections that were withdrawn after Lima cleared Fine to resume Peru flights. But the DoT continued to investigate reports about AeroContinente's alleged ties to drug trafficking. After a lengthy review, the DoT approved the deal.
Source: Airline Business
