Argentina's Flybondi unveils first 737

Argentina's low-cost start-up Flybondi has unveiled its first Boeing 737-800, which is expected to arrive in the South American country in the second half of November.
The aircraft is being leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, and is configured with 189 seats in a single class. Flybondi says the aircraft is in Singapore and will soon depart for Argentina.

Registered LV-HKS, the 737 entered service in 2005 and was previously operated by Ryanair and Thailand's Nok Air, Flight Fleets Analyzer shows.

The aircraft will undergo certification in Argentina, allowing the airline to launch operations by the end of the year, says Flybondi chief executive Julian Cook. Ticket sales have not started.

Flybondi plans to grow its fleet to 10 leased 737s, with eight based at the El Palomar military airbase in Buenos Aires and two at Cordoba. Cook told FlightGlobal in September that the airline has already leased another 737 from Avolon that will be delivered in the second quarter of 2018. While Flybondi had previously expressed interest in ordering the 737 Max 200 from Boeing, Cook has said the airline needs more time to negotiate a deal with the airframer and wants to first accumulate operational experience with the 737.

The carrier plans to operate to domestic destinations like Bariloche, Mendoza, Iguazu and Ushuaia among others. Cook has said that the airline plans to serve around 15 domestic points.
FLIGHT DASHBOARD BY: GHIM-LAY YEO WASHINGTON DC

Photo:TTT - Team NinerVictor Photos

B737-8AS - LV-HKS - Singapore Seletar - WSSL, Singapore