In a significant milestone for aviation and cross-continental manufacturing collaboration, JetSMART has etched its name in history by becoming the first South American carrier to receive an aircraft manufactured in the Airbus factory in Mobile, Alabama, in the United States. The delivery of the Airbus A320neo marks an achievement for regional aviation and underscores the growing range of the European OEM.
Receiving a new aircraft
The event occurred on August 24, as JetSMART welcomed its 26th aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft, adorned with a Scarlet Macaw image on its tail, not only signifies the carrier’s distinctive tradition of incorporating South American fauna but also stands as a symbol of the ties between North America and South America in the aviation industry.
For the Mobile, Alabama, factory, renowned for its Airbus production, this delivery also marks a momentous occasion. The factory in Mobile has been a hub of Airbus production, churning out aircraft to serve carriers mainly in the United States. However, this marks the first time that a plane from this factory has been delivered to a South American airline, marking a pivotal point in the factory’s history and reaffirming its ability to cater to the diverse needs of carriers across the globe. Volaris was the first non-US carrier to receive a Mobile-made aircraft earlier this year.
A pride moment for JetSMART
Estuardo Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at JetSMART, expressed his pride in receiving the Airbus A320neo, christened the “Scarlet Macaw” by the airline. He emphasized the importance of this milestone in the carrier’s journey and its overarching goals. “The arrival of this aircraft brings us closer to our goal of 100 aircraft and also to transporting 100 million passengers by 2028,” Ortiz stated. This underlines JetSMART’s commitment to growth and its pivotal role in South America’s aviation landscape. Members from the Alabama government and executives from JetSMART and Airbus attended the delivery ceremony.
Arturo Barreira, President of Airbus for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the A320neo’s role in enhancing JetSMART’s route offerings and contributing to the airline’s continued growth in South America. What makes this delivery even more fascinating is the announcement by JetSMART’s CEO regarding the aircraft’s base in South America. The Scarlet Macaw is set to become the first aircraft to operate domestic flights in Colombia once authorization for such operations is granted in the country. JetSMART is looking to open a domestic branch in Colombia, following similar successes in Chile, Argentina, and Peru. JetSMART Colombia expects to operate 27 domestic routes and seize the market gap left following the bankruptcies of Viva Air and Ultra Air in the South American country.
JetSMART’s fleet
JetSMART Airlines, founded in 2016, has rapidly emerged as a prominent ultra-low-cost carrier with operations across Chile, Argentina, and Peru. Employing a modern fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, the airline has carried over 20 million passengers to date. JetSMART Chile has 12 aircraft, including two A320ceos, five A320neos, and five A321neos. The Argentinian branch has nine A320ceos, and the Peruvian has four A320neos. JetSMART still expects to receive 99 additional planes from Airbus in the coming years, including 14 A321XLRs.
Source: SIMPLE FLYING
