MARIA FONSECA / RIO DE JANEIRO
Argentinian regional carrier prepares to enter the international arena and plug the gap left by Aerolineas Argentinas
Argentinian regional carrier Southern Winds has unveiled ambitious expansion plans to fill the void left by ailing flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas, taking it out of the regional market and into the international arena with a network of short- and long-haul services.
The Córdoba-based airline will invest $1.5 billion and add 2,000 employees over the next three years to undertake a massive increase in routes and extend its scheduled route network to points beyond Argentina, with services to Europe and the USA planned by 2004. Its existing fleet of five Bombardier CRJ100ERs and six Dash 8s will expand massively with the addition of 28 aircraft, including 20 widebodies.
Southern Winds chief executive Juan Maggio says the airline has reached its limit as a regional carrier and aims to fill the void left after Aerolineas Argentinas suspended services to several domestic and international destinations. He confirms that initial expansion will see the airline acquire six Boeing 737-700s, two 757s and 10 Airbus A340s during the fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
The programme will have backing from the provincial government of Córdoba and local and international financiers. The expansion should see gross revenues reach more than $800 million by 2003, from a forecast $120 million this year and $430 million in 2002.
Southern Winds aims to start services from Córdoba to Miami and Buenos Aires-Miami this year using leased 757s. Early next year flights to Madrid, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Lima, Sïo Paulo and Santiago will begin, with New York and Rome starting by the year-end. Los Angeles and Mexico City will join the network in 2003.
A regional subsidiary, Southern Lakes, will operate two Cessna 208 Caravans on services linking the Argentinian winter resort towns of Bariloche and San Martin de Los Andes. With support from the provincial government of Neuquén and Patágonia, services are due to begin in December.
Source: Flight International
