The Argentinian ultra-low-cost carrier Flybondi has increased its connectivity to Brazil even further by adding a new daily flight between Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and Florianópolis International Airport (FLN).

More connectivity

Flybondi, Argentina’s largest ultra-low-cost carrier in terms of fleet, launched a second daily frequency this week between Buenos Aires and Florianópolis, Brazil. This second daily flight will be available until March 14, 2023, the airline announced in a statement. After that, the airline will serve only a daily flight until April 10.

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The route Buenos Aires-Florianópolis is seasonal, operated onboard the airline’s Boeing 737-800 fleet, with a capacity for 189 passengers in a single-class environment. Flybondi currently operates three different routes to Brazil, all departing from Buenos Aires Ezeiza International. The airline serves Florianópolis, Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU). It is one of the five airlines to operate commercial scheduled passenger flights between both countries (the others are Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL, LATAM Brasil, and JetSMART).

Flybondi’s strong performance in 2022

According to data from Argentina’s civil aviation authorities, Flybondi had the highest load factor among the country’s top three carriers. Flybondi’s flights averaged a 93% load factor versus an 87% load factor by JetSMART and an 84% load factor by Aerolíneas Argentinas.

Flybondi had a strong performance in 2022, increasing its number of flights, routes, and fleet. The Argentinian ULCC received several aircraft, closing the year with a fleet of eleven Boeing 737-800s. Flybondi also set in motion an investment plan that will allow the company to continue growing. In 2023, Flybondi expects to keep adding new jetliners and reach a fleet of 17 aircraft by the end of the year. Last year, the airline reached a new milestone when it carried its six millionth passenger.

By the end of the year, Flybondi had increased its market share in Argentina, taking 21% of all the domestic travelers in the country. Aerolíneas Argentinas remain the top carrier in the country with a 63% market share, and JetSMART fell behind Flybondi with a 15% market share. Look at the graph below to see Flybondi’s growth throughout the year.

Domestic flights in Argentina between 2019 and 2022
Photo: Civil Aviation National Agency.

Internationally, Flybondi remains a fairly unknown player. It only operates services to Brazil, unlike its peers Aerolíneas Argentinas and JetSMART, which currently cover more destinations across the region. Flybondi carried about 3.27% of all international passengers in Argentina last December. Last month, Mauricio Sana, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flybondi, said,

“To close the year with a fleet of 11 aircraft gives us great pride and satisfaction. We are the second-largest airline in the country and have the best load factor. We arrived nearly five years ago to revolutionize the industry, and throughout 2022, we demonstrated that we are ready for much more. Celebrating six million passengers joining the freedom of flying is evidence of that goal.”

Flybondi was founded in 2016. It operated its first flight in 2018. It currently operates flights to 17 destinations across Argentina, plus the three Brazilian cities served.

What do you think about Flybondi’s plans in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.