Summary
- JetSMART is expanding its international footprint by launching two new routes to Ecuador in March and April 2024.
- The airline will operate the Lima-Quito and Lima-Guayaquil routes, competing against LATAM Airlines.
- JetSMART is growing rapidly and aims to surpass 25 million passengers by the end of 2023, with plans to expand domestically in Colombia and receive 96 additional planes in the future.
The South American ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART has announced the expansion of its international footprint and reaching an eight country in the region, Ecuador, through two new routes set to be launched next year.
Reaching Ecuador
Beginning in March and April 2024, JetSMART is set to launch two new international routes, serving Quito International Airport (UIO) and Guayaquil International (GYE) in Ecuador.
First, the company will begin operating the route Lima-Quito starting in March 2024. Then, one month later, it will launch the route Lima-Guayaquil. JetSMART will compete against LATAM Airlines, which already flies on these routes, operating 14 weekly flights in the Lima-Quito segment and ten on the Lima-Guayaquil one.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock.
In a statement, Estuardo Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder at JetSMART, said the company is the fastest growing airline in the region and will surpass 25 million passengers by the end of 2023 (the number is throughout its history). He added,
“It’s a very important milestone to reach Ecuador, offering the SMART model, to continue recovering connectivity and return the opportunity for our communities to connect with their families, conduct their business, and enjoy leisure travel. I appreciate the support of the Ecuadorian government, and we will continue to invest in the country.”
Where does JetSMART fly to?
The ultra-low-cost carrier has domestic branches in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. It is looking to launch a fourth domestic branch in Colombia in 2023, as Estuardo Ortiz told Simple Flying during the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) Airline Leaders Forum 2023, held last month in Cancun, Mexico.
JetSMART operates 74 routes across South America from these three countries, of which 52 are domestic and 22 international. These routes have facilitated the transportation and connectivity of over 22 million passengers in the following countries: Chile, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. From the Spanish-speaking South America, only Bolivia and Venezuela will not be directly connected by JetSMART in 2024.
Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism, Niels Olsen, said the arrival of JetSMART will allow for an interesting cultural and touristic exchange. The South American country has recovered about 95% of its international connectivity compared to March 2020. Olsen added, “We are increasingly connected with the world and attract more foreign exchange to Ecuador.”
JetSMART’s goals
The ultra-low-cost carrier is ambitious in its plans. It has one of the largest unfilled orders for new planes in the region, backed by the Indigo Partners group that also supports other ULCCs globally (Frontier and Volaris in North America and Wizz Air in Europe). JetSMART is looking to receive 96 additional planes in future dates, including 36 A320neos, 46 A321neos, and 14 A321XLRs, according to data from ch-aviation.
Photo: Gustavo Estacio Henao | Shutterstock.
The company also has a codeshare agreement with American Airlines. They recently expanded their reach, including Peru, to the agreement. Moreover, JetSMART is looking to join American Airlines’ AAdvantage loyalty program in the future.
What do you think about JetSMART’s plans to launch flights to Ecuador? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: ch-aviation.