Feeling Air Expands Fleet with Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX
Feeling Air expands its fleet with a new Cessna Grand Caravan, strengthening its operational capacity in Argentina and Uruguay.
On February 14, Feeling Air welcomed a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX after completing a 20-day ferry flight, landing at San Fernando Airport (FDO), Argentina. The aircraft was previously showcased at the Textron Aviation facility in Kansas, USA.
The plane, registered as LV-KLR, departed on January 26 from the Cessna Aircraft factory in Independence (IND), Kansas, bound for Argentina.
Delivery Route and Logistics
The journey included multiple stopovers:
- Evansville (EVV) – Albany (ALB) – Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Providenciales (Turks and Caicos) – Punta Cana (PUJ) – St. Maarten (SXM) – Pointe Salines (GND) – Boa Vista (BVB) – Manaus (MAO) – Sinop (OPS) – Campo Grande (CGR) – Asunción (ASU) – Buenos Aires/San Fernando (FDO).
Due to the Cessna’s range limitations and crew rest periods, the ferry flight lasted three weeks.
Fleet Expansion and Operational Growth
With this addition, the LV-KLR replaces the LV-HUM, Feeling Air’s first Grand Caravan, which was received new from the factory in 2017 and has since been sold to another company. The airline also operates a Cessna C206 and a Cirrus SR22.
Feeling Air obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in 2018 from Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), authorizing it to operate non-scheduled domestic and international passenger, cargo, and mail flights.
According to its website, Feeling Air specializes in operating at airports with limited infrastructure, thanks to the adaptability of its aircraft. Its main operations focus on Argentina and Uruguay.
In January 2024, the airline conducted 19 non-scheduled flights across five Argentine provinces, utilizing 14 small airports and airstrips, representing a 90% increase compared to January 2023. Financially, it reported a 73% growth in revenue compared to the same period the previous year.
Future Expansion and Regional Aviation Potential
In an interview with Aviacionline, Feeling Air confirmed its interest in expanding its commercial reach while maintaining its charter model. However, given the new regional aviation regulations introduced by President Javier Milei’s government, the airline does not rule out the possibility of operating scheduled flights to destinations with limited air connectivity.
Feeling Air has engaged in discussions with several municipalities across Argentina, though no formal agreements have been finalized.
Opportunities for Regional Aviation in Argentina
The Cessna Grand Caravan, with a regulated capacity of 9 to 12 passengers, is well-suited to connect San Fernando and/or Aeroparque with cities of under 50,000 inhabitants in provinces such as Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos, Córdoba, La Pampa, and Santa Fe.
Potential destinations include:
- Villa Gesell, Necochea, Miramar, Venado Tuerto, Sunchales, Rafaela, Gualeguaychú, Coronel Suárez, General Pico, Trenque Lauquen, and Pehuajó.
A regional example of this model is Azul Conecta, a subsidiary of Azul Linhas Aéreas, which operates Cessna Grand Caravans to link municipalities within Brazilian states and connect them to Azul’s main network.
With policy changes under Argentina’s new administration and the possibility of macroeconomic stabilization, a new opportunity could emerge for the sustainable growth of regional aviation, leveraging modern technologies and past experiences.
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