Argentina-based ultra-low-cost carrier Flybondi will soon return two of its Boeing 737s to service after obtaining partial approval for a currency transfer on Thursday. A minimum of 22 flights and greater than 5,000 passengers were affected by cancelations or delays after the airline grounded the planes last week.
Without the currency transfer approval, the airline couldn’t proceed to make payments to the corporate that provided the operational leasing of the 737s. The financial trouble also reportedly slowed Flybondi’s welcoming of two additional aircraft to its fleet.
One step closer
In line with Aviacionline, the airline confirmed earlier this week that it had received “partial approval from SIRASE (System of Imports of the Argentine Republic and Payments of Services Abroad) to transfer payments abroad.” Although flights cannot resume yet, the news puts the airline one step closer to getting its 737s back within the sky.
Flybondi stressed in a press release obtained by Aviacionline that the approval is just partial at this point.
“It (Flybondi) awaits the remaining of the pending approvals to comply with its other specialized serviced that it must contract abroad and which are essential to operate.”
Photo: Flybondi
While a timeline for when the aircraft will return to service was not disclosed, the carrier indicated that the 737s can be reincorporated into flight schedules shortly.
“Breaches in contracts”
On Tuesday, Flybondi announced that the planes can be grounded as a consequence of its inability to access foreign currency.
the airline said in a press release to Aviacionline.
The fleet
The planes, each 737-800s under the registration LV-KDQ and LV-KDR are owned by aircraft leasing company Aircastle. Each birds formerly flew with Garuda Indonesia and are around 12 years old. Last summer, Flybondi incorporated the planes into its fleet. LV-KDQ stopped operating last week to receive an engine substitute that was reportedly ordered and paid for by Aircastle.
In line with Aeroflap, Flybondi’s fleet comprises 12 aircraft, all 737-800s configured to seat 189 passengers. Over half of its fleet was delivered last 12 months when the airline fully resumed operations.
Photo: Flybondi
Nonetheless, the short-lived grounding of the 2 737s was not the one challenge the airline handled. Its financial issues reportedly prevented the delivery of its thirteenth and 14th aircraft, originally scheduled to reach the primary week of June, and will have mitigated the cancelations and rescheduling of flights.
Sources near the Flybondi indicated that they were concerned concerning the airline’s operational aspect in the long run, based on Aviacionline.
the airline explained in a press release.