JetSMART Airlines SpA, stylized as JetSMART, is a South American ultra low-cost carrier created by US investment fund Indigo Partners, which also controls low-cost carriers like US airline Frontier Airlines, Mexico's Volaris and Hungary's Wizz Air. JetSmart's primary base of operations is Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, servicing Santiago, Chile. It also owns and manages JetSmart Argentina, an Argentine subsidiary with a base at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in Buenos Aires. The airline commenced scheduled operations on 25 July 2017 with a service from Santiago to Calama. Its CEO and founder is Estuardo Ortiz Porras.[2][3]
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| Founded | 2017 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 25 July 2017 | ||||||
| Operating bases | |||||||
| Subsidiaries | |||||||
| Fleet size | 26 | ||||||
| Destinations | 33[1] | ||||||
| Parent company | Indigo Partners | ||||||
| Headquarters | Santiago, Chile | ||||||
| Key people | Estuardo Ortiz Porras (founder) | ||||||
| Website | jetsmart | ||||||
History
editJetSMART requested an air operator's certificate (AOC) on 26 January 2017, and received its authorization in June 2017.[4] Initially, the airline operated three Airbus A320-200 aircraft, but has since taken delivery of Airbus A320neo aircraft. Initially flying only domestic routes, JetSMART has expanded its presence in the South American market,[5] setting up JetSMART Argentina to access further traffic rights to the country.[6]
On 4 December 2019, JetSmart acquired Norwegian Air Argentina and took over its operations, staff, and license with immediate effect, with plans to merge the airline with JetSMART Argentina. Following the acquisition, it was to operate both from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and El Palomar Airport in the Buenos Aires area. As Norwegian's Boeing 737 aircraft were not part of the transaction, JetSmart planned to replace them with the airline's own Airbus A320 family aircraft.[7]
On 29 July 2021, American Airlines announced a minority investment in JetSMART, along with agreements to allow members of American Airlines' AAdvantage loyalty program to earn miles when flying on JetSMART.[8]
On 17 March 2023, JetSMART signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to purchase Ultra Air,[citation needed] and is proceeding with certifying JetSmart as an aircraft operator in Colombia.[citation needed]
On 16 June 2022, JetSMART commenced domestic operations in Peru, marking its expansion into a new market. The airline aims to capitalize on Peru's growing demand for affordable air travel, particularly amid the post-pandemic recovery. By offering competitive fares and expanding its network within Peru, JetSMART aims to stimulate travel demand and promote connectivity across the country, catering to both leisure and business travelers. This strategic move aligns with JetSMART's goal of becoming a leading player in the South American aviation market and underscores its commitment to providing accessible air travel options across the region.
Fleet
edit
As of August 2024[update], the JetSmart fleet consists of the following aircraft:[9][10]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 11 | — | 186 | |
| Airbus A320neo | 21 | 21[9] | 186 | |
| Airbus A321neo | 9 | 41[9] | 244 | |
| Airbus A321XLR | — | 14[citation needed] | TBA | |
| Total | 41 | 75 | ||
Fleet development
editIn December 2017 the airline ordered 56 A320neo and 14 A321neo.[11]
In June 2019 JetSmart ordered 12 A321XLR.[12] In October 2019 the first A320neo joined the fleet.[13]
In November 2021 JetSmart ordered 22 A321neo and 2 A321XLR and converted existing orders of A320neo to A321neo.[14]
In July 2022 the airline leased 6 Airbus A320neos from BOC Aviation with deliveries scheduled in 2024.[citation needed] In the same month the first A321neo was delivered.[15] Also in July 2022 it was reported that JetSmart expects to have a fleet of 100 aircraft by 2027.[citation needed]
Destinations
edit
JetSmart aimed to operate up to 10 aircraft in the 2018 period, and would go on to challenge LATAM Chile and Sky Airline in nearly every market introduced between July and December 2017.[19]
Codeshare agreements
editReferences
edit- ^ "JetSMART on ch-aviation". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ^ "Chile's JetSMART launches service". FlightGlobal. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
- ^ "JetSmart Takes Flight". Airliner World (October 2017): 12.
- ^ "DGAC otorga autorización a línea aérea JetSmart para iniciar operaciones en Chile". La Tercera. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
- ^ "Chile's new low-cost airline JetSmart plans to sell $1.50 tickets". Reuters. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017.
- ^ "JetSMART Argentina secures AOC, preps for 2Q19 launch". ch-aviation. ch-aviation GmbH. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
- ^ Klesty, Victoria; Solsvik, Terje (4 December 2019). "Norwegian Air sells Argentinian subsidiary to JetSMART". Reuters. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ^ "Newsroom - American Airlines and JetSMART Sign Letter of Intent to Create the Broadest and Most Rewarding Network in the Americas". 29 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ^ a b c Airbus Orders and Deliveries (XLS), monthly updated, accessed via "Orders & deliveries". Airbus. Airbus SAS.
- ^ "JetSMART Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ "Airbus, Indigo Partners finalize orders for 430 A320neo Family aircraft". www.airbus.com. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ Viana, Pedro (2019-06-19). "Frontier, Wizz Air and JetSMART order 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft". Aeroflap. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ Fiedler, Jan-Hendrik (16 October 2019). "JetSMART adds first Airbus A320neo, announces new routes". International Flight Network. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
- ^ "US's Indigo Partners orders 255 A321neo Family jets". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ "JetSMART takes delivery of its first A321neo". www.airbus.com. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ "Know all our destinations". jetsmart.com. Retrieved 1 Sep 2024.
- ^ "Route map JetSmart (JA)". flightconnections.com. Retrieved 1 Sep 2024.
- ^ "JetSmart Flight booking". jetsmart.com. Retrieved 1 Sep 2024.
- ^ "JetSMART's debut in Chile offers a test case for LCC staying power in Latin America". CAPA Centre for Aviation. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "American Airlines and JetSMART Sign Letter of Intent to Create the Broadest and Most Rewarding Network in the Americas - American Airlines Newsroom".