Tag Archives: Santiago

PAL Airlines of Chile suspends operations

PAL Airlines (Santiago) on May 27 saw its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) suspended because the local DGAC (Chile’s Civil Aviation Directorate) detected the airline did not accomplish technical requirements that may risk the operational safety of the airline if these issues are not corrected. The DGAC decided to stop all PAL Airlines operations until these issues are corrected. According to DGAC, PAL Airlines is working to recover its AOC in the coming days.

Here is the statement by the AGAC (translated from Spanish):

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reports that according to the audits that are usually performed, the audits revealed that Principal Chile SA Airlines (PAL) has failed to comply with the technical requirements for its Air Operators Certification (AOC). Therefore its operation could jeopardize security if detected problems are not solved.

Therefore, citizens of Chile are informed that if these problems are not resolved, all air operations of this company will be suspended until the company hows its ability to comply with the technical requirements of aviation regulations .

The company is committed to provide a solution, as soon as possible, to the problems identified so as to continue to operate with the utmost safety .

The DGAC regrets the inconvenience this may cause, but the obligation of the Aeronautics Division is to ensure aviation safety.

Meanwhile PAL Airlines has stated it is working hard to relocate its maintenance facilities to another area of Santiago Airport (the original facilities were already demolished).

PAL is working hard to recover its AOC and expects to obtain it again in the next 4-5 days.

PAL Airlines has issued this statement about its efforts to restore its AOC (in Spanish): CLICK HERE

Special thanks to Alvaro Romero reporting from Chile.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Ex-United Boeing 737-322 CC-ACE (msn 24669) completes its final approach back to the Santiago hub.

PAL Airlines:

Gol to start Sao Paulo-Santiago flights on July 3, reports a $65.1 million operating profit in the first quarter

Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes S.A. (Gol Transportes Aereos) (Sao Paulo) will start a new international twice-daily route on July 3, 2014 between São Paulo (Guarulhos) and Santiago.

The flights will be operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the GOL+ configuration, ensuring more space between seats. The flight will have on-board service with the option of hot meals, sandwiches, and hot and cold drinks.

On the financial side, the company announced its results for the first quarter of 2014 (all figures in Brazilian Real):

Operating income (EBIT) totaled R$144 million ($65.1 million US) in 1Q14, 43% increase versus 1Q13, with an operating margin of 5.8%. In the last 12 months (LTM), GOL achieved an EBIT of R$309 million and a margin of 3.3%.

Net revenues reached R$2.5 billion, 20% or R$411 million, up year over year and the Company’s highest ever first-quarter figure. LTM net revenue stood at R$9.4 billion.

Total load factor of 76.1% on the 1Q14 represented an 8.9 percentage point improvement over 1Q13 and also a first-quarter record, while yield maintained its upward trajectory, increasing by 4% in the period. These factors helped push RASK and PRASK by 18% to R$19.90 cents and R$18.23 cents, respectively.

Given the average 18% devaluation of the Real against the Dollar and fuel prices reaching record levels for a quarter, R$2.62/liter, total CASK moved up 17% over 1Q13, while CASK ex-fuel increased by 22%. LTM total CASK increased 3%.

EBITDAR totaled R$493 million, 34% more than in 1Q13. LTM EBITDAR of R$1,652 million, a Company record, reducing leverage (adjusted gross debt/LTM EBITDAR) from 27.9x, in 1Q13, to 6.5x in 1Q14.

GOL closed the first quarter with a total cash position of R$2.8 billion, equivalent to 30% of LTM net revenue. The Company remains committed to maintaining ample liquidity, which is essential at times of high volatility in the economic scenario.

Given the devaluation of the Venezuelan Bolivar against the Dollar, the Company recognized an exchange variation adjustment of R$75.9 million in its 1Q14 financial result. As a result, the realizable value of its cash in Venezuela was R$274.6 million on March 31, 2014.

Smiles S.A. reported first-quarter net income of R$78.3 million in 1Q14, 162% up on 1Q13, with a net margin of 41.6%, driven by the 61% period increase in net revenue to R$188 million.

Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-8EH PR-GXH (msn 39621) advertising the GOL+ seating configuration arrives at São Paulo (Guarulhos).

Gol:

PAL Airlines leases an Airbus A330-300 from AirEuropa for the southern summer season

PAL Airlines (Santiago) has leased in from AirEuropa (Palma de Mallorca and Madrid) the pictured Airbus A330 for the southern summer season. The new type entered revenue service on January 11, 2014 between Santiago and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. AirEuropa’s Airbus A330-343X EC-LXR (msn 1097) taxies yesterday (January 21) with joint titles at hot and hazy Santiago, Chile.

PAL Airlines:

Lan Airlines brings the Boeing 787 to Miami

LAN Airlines (Chile) (Santiago) today (January 3) brought the new Boeing 787-8 to Miami for the first time. The first visit was due to the snowstorm in New York (JFK).

The airline is planning to commence regular once-weekly Santiago to Miami 787 service via Cancun starting on August 9, 2014 per Airline Route.

LAN Airlines (Chile):

Xtra Airways is operating two Boeing 737-400s for One Airlines of Chile

Xtra Airways (Boise, Idaho) is now operating two of its Boeing 737-400s (N279AD and N42XA) for newcomer One Airlines of Chile.

One Airlines (Santiago) began charter operations on October 25 linking Santiago with Concepción in southern Chile and also to cities like Antofagasta and Calama in the northern part of the country, where the main mining investments are located.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Boeing 737-4Q8 N279AD (msn 26279) rests between assignments at Santiago. The airliner is fully painted in the colors of the new charter airline. N279AD was formerly operated for DirectAir.

Xtra Airways:

Aerocardal halts scheduled passenger flights in Chile

Aerocardal (Santiago) on October 26 halted regular scheduled passenger operations between Santiago and Vallenar in northern Chile. The last flights were CDA 202 and CDA 203 using the Dornier 328 CC-ACG.

Aerocardal blamed the fall of various mining, agricultural and industial investments in the Atacama region for the lack of passenger demand. At its height, aircraft occupancy was 85 percent but during 2013 the rate was only 31percent, making the operation unprofitable.

Aerocardal told local media that if economical and investment conditions get better flights to Vallenar will be restarted. The route commenced on August 16 2011 and initially operated twice a week (Mondays and Fridays). Later a third flight was added on Wednesdays.

Aerocardal will continue operations as a charter airline operating VIP and ambulance flights and also operating its new FBO in Santiago.

Report from Chile from Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Aerocardal’s Dornier 328-100 CC-ACG (msn 3063) arrives back at the Santiago base.

Aerocardal:

LATAM Airlines Group loses $330 million in the 2Q

LATAM Airlines Group (LAN Airlines and TAM Linhas Aereas) (Santago and Sao Paulo) reported it lost $330 million in the second quarter. The group was created last year with the merger of the two airlines. The group is struggling in Brazil with TAM due to a weakening Brazilian economy. TAM is cutting costs and reducing flights.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

LATAM Airlines Group Fleet Plans (excerpt from the report):

Top Copyright Photo: Rodrigo Cozzato/AirlinersGallery.com. Sporting new Sharklets, Airbus A320-214 PR-MYY (msn 5591) taxies at the Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) hub.

LAN Airlines (Chile):

TAM Linhas Aereas:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Boeing 777-F6N N772LA (msn 37708) arrives at the Santiago hub.

PAL Airlines suspends scheduled operations in August, will operate charters only

PAL Airlines (Santiago) announced on July 29 that is suspending scheduled passenger operations during August. The carrier will continue as a charter-only company. The explanation given by the owners was that the current business plan did not allow them to develop the charter flights to the Chilean northern regions where mining personnel transportation needs are growing.

PAL currently operates 16 charter flights a week and they expect this number to rise up to 28 per week. The aim of the airline is also offer better options to Chilean tour operators for charters in the summer season of the Southern Hemisphere (flights to Brazil, Cuba and Mexico), and using the aircraft for freight, mainly performing seat container flights inside Chile.

PAL fleet is composed by two Boeing 737-300s and two Boeing 737-200s, plus two leased from Global Air of Mexico. A third 737-300 should join the fleet soon.

Thanks to Alvaro Romero of ModoCharlie.com for this report.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Boeing 737-3G7 CC-ADZ (msn 24634) in the special Copa America 2011-Chile Soccer Team livery exits the runway at the Santiago base.

PAL Airlines:

Sky Airline of Chile retires its last Boeing 737-200

Sky Airline (Chile) (Santiago) on July 26 operated the last revenue flight of a Boeing 737-200. Three 737-200s were retired on July 26.

The first of the three airliners that finished their career was CC-CTK, performing flight SKU 055, departing Santiago (SCL) to Carriel Sur, Concepción Airport (SCIE/CCP) at 17:15 (local time). It returned to SCL as flight SKU 054.

Flight SKU 116 was flown from Santiago to Copiapó’s Desierto de Atacama airport (SCAT) using CC-CVI, and flew from there to Santiago as SKU 117 at 19:09.

The last flight was flight SKU 122, flown with CC-CTH. The flight took off from SCL for La Serena (SCSE/LSC), then to Copiapó and returning to Santiago around 22:00 (local). This flight marked the end of the era of 737s in SKY Airline service.

Thanks goes to Alvaro Romero for this information.

Sky Airline (Chile):

Sky Airline phases out its last Boeing 737-200s

Sky Airline (Chile) (Santiago) on July 3 2013 retired from scheduled operations three of its Boeing 737-200s: CC-CTO, CC-AAG and CC-ABD. Three 737-200s still remain in service: CC-CTH, CC-CTK and CC-CVI. However these last three aircraft will be retired by the end of July 2013. After that, the carrier will only operate Airbus A319s and A320s.

Copyright Photo: Alvaro Romero/ModoCharlie.com. Boeing 737-230 CC-CTK (msn 22402) completes its final approach back into the Santiago base.

Sky Airline (Chile):