Avion Express, a company specialized in ACMI services (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance), has officially announced its entry into the South American market through a strategic partnership with the Argentine airline Flybondi. According to the company, and as we reported last week, operations will be carried out with two Airbus A320 aircraft based in Buenos Aires, starting at the end of November 2024 and extending through March 2025.
The aircraft, registered as LY-VEL and LY-MLJ, are already en route to Argentina. The first was delivered to Spanair in May 2003 and transferred to Avion Express in 2014, rotating through various European airlines since then. The LY-MLJ was delivered to Wizz Air in April 2009 and joined Avion Express in May 2022, serving airlines such as Transavia France, Sun Express, Pegasus, and Viva Aerobus.
The ACMI model, which allows airlines to access fully equipped aircraft with crew and maintenance services included, has gained global popularity for its operational flexibility. According to Avion Express, this model provides an efficient solution to meet fluctuating passenger demand, especially during peak seasons.
“We are proud and honored to be the first ACMI operator with Airbus A320 aircraft in Argentina, partnering with Flybondi to enhance their operational capacity during this upcoming summer in the southern hemisphere,” said Darius Kajokas, CEO of Avion Express.
Flybondi aims to increase its operational flexibility during the high summer demand through this partnership. “This achievement is the result of months of work and was made possible thanks to new regulatory provisions. We are very pleased to collaborate with Avion Express to meet the high demand of our passengers,” said Mauricio Sana, CEO of Flybondi.
The collaboration, highlighted by Avion Express, demonstrates how the ACMI model can leverage seasonal differences between markets. While Europe faces a low winter season, South America experiences a surge in demand due to summer.
These two Airbus A320 aircraft join the two aircraft Flybondi incorporated two weeks ago, bringing the low-cost airline’s fleet to 19 aircraft. This expansion is expected to support Flybondi’s upcoming summer schedule and mitigate the operational challenges it faced over the past year.
Future Prospects
Avion Express detailed that its strategic focus in Latin America aims to strengthen its presence in key markets. “We are in the process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Brazil to address the growing demand in this region and provide greater flexibility to airlines,” added Kajokas.
Roberto Held, Head of Business Development for the Americas at Avion Express, stated, “This collaboration reflects the strength of our shared commitment to meeting the demands of a growing market under a very efficient model for airlines,” and emphasized that “none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support and leadership of the Flybondi team, the Argentine regulatory authorities, and a dynamic aviation sector in this region that continues to thrive. Together, we are laying the groundwork for greater connectivity and innovation in Argentina and across the region.”
Avion Express is part of Avia Solutions Group, one of the largest leasing companies in the world, which last week placed an order for up to 80 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
