The Ministry of Transport has given Flybondi a 48-hour deadline to submit a corrective plan to drastically reduce the cancellations the airline has experienced in recent months. This measure arises due to the high number of canceled and rescheduled flights that have affected thousands of passengers, causing a significant impact on the service provided by the airline.
The government has issued an ultimatum to Flybondi, requiring the airline to submit a detailed plan within 48 hours that includes the significant reduction of cancellations and the implementation of contingency measures to ensure the protection of passenger rights. Failure to meet this requirement within the specified timeframe will result in the airline facing an administrative inquiry and, consequently, a possible financial penalty.
This measure follows data revealed by the Ministry of Transport, showing that in November, of the 1,991 flights operated by Flybondi, 384 were canceled, which represents approximately 20% of the airline’s total operations. Additionally, more than 700 flights had to be rescheduled, raising significant concern about the impact on passengers.
Operational Capacity Review
The corrective plan requested must align with the airline’s actual operational capacity, avoiding the offer of flights that cannot be effectively guaranteed or operated. This suggests that «Flybondi has been presenting a number of flights that exceed its capacity«, which could be one of the underlying causes of the cancellations.
The plan must also include a set of contingency measures to mitigate the negative effects of cancellations, ensuring that passengers’ rights are adequately protected in the event of itinerary changes.
The National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), responsible for the control and regulation of the aviation sector, has stated that it will continue issuing violation reports for airline non-compliance, a measure that had been suspended since 2020. Since June of this year, the sanctioning process has resumed for all airlines, aiming to protect passenger rights and improve service quality in the sector.
The Context of Open Skies
The Argentine government has promoted the «Open Skies» policy in order to «encourage greater competition and efficiency in the aviation sector.» However, it is emphasized that this policy shouldn’t harm passengers’ right to receive quality services, and that adhering to schedules and providing adequate service are priorities.
In this context, the statement issued by the Ministry of Transport reads that the national government «will not allow services that negatively affect users, and demands that Flybondi improve its operational standards, aligning with passengers’ expectations.»
