JetSMART takes delivery of its first Mobile-built aircraft

In August, ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART took delivery of its first A320neo produced at Airbus’ U.S. Manufacturing Site in Mobile. This milestone marks Mobile’s second international delivery and the first for South America.

To mark this milestone, Noticias Airbus sat down with its CEO, Estuardo Ortiz to learn more about this important milestone for the South American carrier.

     1. Why did JetSMART decide on taking delivery from Airbus U.S. manufacturing facility located in Mobile, Alabama?

We are extremely proud of this new milestone for JetSMART. The delivery of the Guacamayo (Macaw)* -our 26th A320- from the facilities in Mobile brings us one step closer to reaching our vision of 100 aircraft by 2028 with the most fuel-efficient fleet in the region.

When we analyzed the possibility of taking delivery from Alabama, we immediately saw the  benefits, since it's geographically closer to our markets, it reduces the ferry flight cost and improves Entry-Into-Service times.

*This particular A320neo is named ‘Guacamayo’ following JetSMART´s tradition of naming its aircraft after a South American animal, which also adorns its tail. 

     2. What does it mean for JetSMART to take delivery of the first South American Airbus aircraft produced in the U.S.?

This new A320neo is quite a symbolic delivery for us as it is the first aircraft we receive that is manufactured in the United States and it's the first A320neo coming from the assembly line in Alabama to ever be operated in South America.

Additionally, we are proud that the ferry flight was performed with 27% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

     3. Can you share a bit on JetSMARTs strategy for the next few years?

We keep focused on market stimulation. Our goal is to make air-travel affordable to all South Americans.

We keep focused on our SMART Ultra-Low-Cost model and plan to continue to expand it throughout the region. We are proud to state that until today we have carried more than 20 million passengers and we currently operate 77 routes in 7 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay) with domestic operating bases in Chile, Argentina and Peru.

We continue to identify new opportunities in South America, as markets continue to consolidate and adapt in the post-pandemic era.

JetSMART, while based in Chile, also operates in Argentina and Peru and its all-Airbus fleet is among the region’s youngest.