NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi to start-up with US$ 20 million investment and 737-800 lease

New Jobs

Flybondi is preparing for start-up with 25 staff at its Puerto Madero headquarters in downtown Buenos Aires taking applications for an initial 30 pilot and 100 cabin crew positions with flight operations expected to start in September or October of this year. 

El Palomar (EPA) Development

The airline is planning to initially invest US$ 20 million developing its own facilities at El Palomar (EPA), an airfield located 15 miles west of downtown Buenos Aires, which is best known as a military airbase where several former Aerolineas Argentinas / Fuerza Aerea Argentina 707's have been parked for several years, which have been recently joined by the "Tango 01" Argentine Presidential 757, now out of service, and the FAA 737-500, reportedly undergoing engine changes that will see it soon resume service transporting governmental VIP's.  

Flybondi will develop passenger and flight facilities at EPA for its own private use not to be shared with other airlines as the carrier does not want to be an airport administrator.  

New Terminal, Ramp, Taxiways & Access Road 

The infrastructure to be constructed will include a new passenger terminal, featuring a simple functional design along the lines of the those used by Low-Cost Carriers in Europe, new ramp space, and connecting taxiways, all located across runway 16/34 from the existing terminal space on the east side of the airfield.  A new road connecting to the "Western Access Highway" will also be built to make the terminal easier to reach.  The new facilities are expected to be ready for use in early 2018 with Flybondi starting initial flight operations from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) pending completion of the new resources. 

A further US$ 10 million is planned to be spent expanding its facilities at EPA during the next 2-3 years. 

First 737-800 Lease

The most significant recent development for Flybondi was the signing of a lease on its first aircraft, a 737-800, on 12May17 with delivery of the plane expected later this year.  Another 10 737-800's are expected to join the fleet in 2017-18. 

Objectives

The airline aims to carry 8 million passenger in its first five years while employing 1,500 workers resulting in another 20,000 new travel industry jobs.

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/03/flybondi-invertiria-usd30-millones-para-operar-desde-el-palomar/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170406/avn-170406.html  
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2024141-flybondi-firmo-el-contrato-de-leasing-por-su-primer-avion-y-tendra-una-flota-de-10-aeronaves-en-2018