Alas Uruguay (Montevideo) has operated its last revenue flight. Boeing 737-36N CX-OAC (msn 28563) operated flight YZ163 from Buenos Aires (AEP) to Montevideo on October 24, 2016.
The carrier has now suspended all operations.
The airline recently commenced operations on January 21, 2016.
Alvaro Romero reporting from Chile:
At dusk of October 24 2016 (19:55), the Boeing 737-300 registered CX-OAC of Alas Uruguay, took off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque Jorge Newbery bound for Carrasco airport near Montevideo, Uruguay. The airliner performed the flight YZ163 which is to date, the last of this short-lived airline.
According to local media, the lessor of CX-OAC asked for the return of the aircraft because of debts, while CX-OAA has been preserved some weeks ago before returning it to the owner; it has been said that OAC would be leased by the Chilean company LAW. Before the last flight, Alas halted operations between Montevideo and Asunción, Paraguay last week because of poor loads.
A statement published on Twitter by Alas, indicated that passengers who had bought tickets from October 25 onwards must contact the airline for finding a solution as the flights were cancelled “because of operational reasons”: 300 passengers are affected by this situation.
What would happen to the airline constituted by ex-Pluna workers? Some sources say that there are talks with foreign airlines interested in the routes and the AOC, but current evidence states Alas (wings, in Spanish) is not to fly anymore, as Uruguay government said no more economical aids would be given to the company after supporting it with USD $15 million.
A complex situation not only for Alas’ workers and passengers, but also for the Uruguayan taxpayers.
Copyright Photo: Alas Uruguay Boeing 737-36N WL CX-OAA (msn 28569) GRU (Rodrigo Cozzato). Image: 932748.
