The Ecuadorian startup had planned to start operations on December 22, 2021, but had to postpone it to January 10, 2022, after aeronautical authorities in Ecuador, executives, and employees of the company tested positive for COVID-19.
The decision was made to avoid the spread of the virus, according to a statement from Equair. All passengers will be contacted in the following days to be relocated so as not to affect their scheduled activities.
«As a result of the efforts to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, EQUAIR has decided, in conjunction with the Ecuadorian Aeronautical Authority, to suspend the final phase of certification of the airline. Furthermore, we have decided to delay the launch of operations that had been scheduled for December 22, 2021, and to move them to January 10, 2022.»
The airline operates two Boeing 737-700s and was initially going to operate from Quito (UIO) to Guayaquil (GYE), and from the latter to Baltra (GPS) and San Cristóbal (SCY) in the Galapagos Islands. In the course of 2022, two additional aircraft will be added to bring new domestic destinations. The Boeing 737s have a capacity of 142 passengers and it intends to have five aircraft of the same model.
It is an unfortunate situation for the company, given that the project looked promising after the closure of TAME, leaving a void in the Ecuadorian market. Currently, LATAM, Avianca, and Aeroregional serve the domestic market to different destinations. Another carrier to be added is Ecuatoriana Airlines, which has signed for three DHC 8-400s at the Dubai Airshow.
https://twitter.com/equairECU/status/1473339329456091144
