American Airlines: Bolivia Flights Grounded?

American Airlines is ending its route to Bolivia from the US, with the last flight taking off on November 27, 2019. The airline has been flying from Miami to Santa Cruz for 29 years, but it is now removing the route from its network. This decision comes after American Airlines canceled its inter-Bolivia flight between Santa Cruz and La Paz in July 2018. The removal of this route means there will no longer be any non-stop service between the US and Bolivia.

American Airlines is ending its Miami-Santa Cruz route

The airline has stated that the decision was made as part of its constant evaluation of its network, aiming to ensure its fleet and crews are serving profitable routes to position themselves for long-term success against global competition. This move comes after American Airlines cancelled its flights from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia, in 2018, which was the only American Airlines route that did not involve taking off or landing in the United States.

The Miami-Santa Cruz route was initially scheduled to be serviced by the Boeing 737 MAX, replacing the Boeing 757s. However, American Airlines ultimately decided to continue using the 757s and later announced the end of the Santa Cruz service altogether.

With the discontinuation of the American Airlines service, Boliviana de Aviacion will remain as the only airline offering non-stop flights between the US and Bolivia. Passengers can still fly from Miami to Santa Cruz with Boliviana de Aviacion or make connections through Lima, Panama, or Bogotá.

The last US airline flying to Bolivia

American Airlines was the last US airline flying to Bolivia. However, in 2019, the airline announced it would be ending its 29-year-old route from Miami to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, effective November 27, 2019. This came after the airline cancelled its flights from Miami to La Paz, Bolivia, in 2018.

History of American Airlines' Bolivia Flights

American Airlines' Miami-Santa Cruz route had been in operation since 1990 and was flown on Boeing 757s. The route was popular among Bolivia's elite, who would travel to South Florida, knowing their wealth would be safe there.

In 2019, American Airlines planned to switch to using the Boeing 737 MAX on the route, but this decision was reversed, and the Boeing 757s were kept in operation.

Impact of the Route Cancellation

The cancellation of American Airlines' last route to Bolivia meant that there would no longer be any non-stop service between the US and Bolivia. Boliviana de Aviacion, the national airline of Bolivia, was then the only airline offering non-stop service between the two countries.

Some travel agents expressed surprise at American Airlines' decision, while others believed it would not have a significant impact due to the low capacity of the flights.

Reasons for the Route Cancellation

American Airlines cited "constant evaluation of our network" and the desire to "ensure our fleet and crews are serving routes that are profitable" as reasons for cancelling the route. The airline also mentioned that the decision was a difficult one and that they were working closely with the affected team members.

Alternative Travel Options

After the cancellation of American Airlines' route, travellers could still fly from Miami to Santa Cruz on Boliviana de Aviacion. Alternatively, connections to Miami could be made through flights to Lima, Panama, and Bogotá.

The decision comes after 29 years of service

American Airlines has decided to end its 29-year service to Bolivia, with its last route to the South American country from the US starting on November 28, 2019. The airline's senior vice president of International and Cargo, Jim Butler, stated that the decision was made as part of the constant evaluation of their network, and that it was a challenging choice. This move comes after American Airlines cancelled its inter-Bolivia flight between Santa Cruz and La Paz in July 2018 and its flights from Miami to La Paz in June 2018.

The now-discontinued route from Miami to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, was first established in 1990 and operated three times a week, with daily flights during the high season. This route was inherited by American Airlines when it acquired Eastern Airlines in 1991. The decision to end this service has left travel agents perplexed, especially since American Airlines was the only US airline providing nonstop flights to Bolivia. However, some agents believe the impact will be minimal as the flights were already operating at low capacity.

American Airlines' decision to end its service to Bolivia appears to be driven by economic considerations. The airline stated that it wants to ensure its fleet and crews serve profitable routes, positioning them for long-term success in the face of global competition. Additionally, the challenges of operating the route, including cabotage restrictions and operational difficulties during delays or maintenance issues, may have contributed to the decision.

The move has also been influenced by the Bolivian government's policies. Under the leadership of President Evo Morales, Bolivia has been leaning towards socialism, promising to share the country's natural gas reserves and mineral deposits with its people. This has prompted some wealthy Bolivians to relocate to South Florida, reducing the demand for flights to Bolivia.

The end of American Airlines' 29-year service to Bolivia marks a significant change in the aviation landscape between the two countries. With the national airline, Boliviana de Aviacion, now the only carrier offering nonstop flights between the US and Bolivia, travellers will need to consider alternative options or accept the lack of competition on the remaining routes.

No competition on the Santa Cruz-Miami route

American Airlines is dropping its non-stop flight service between Miami and Santa Cruz, Bolivia. This route was previously served by the airline's Boeing 757 aircraft, which offered lie-flat business class seats. However, in November 2019, American Airlines announced a schedule change, planning to operate the route with their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft instead. This decision was later reversed, and the airline decided to end the Santa Cruz service altogether.

The elimination of this route leaves a void in the market, as it was the only non-stop flight option between the United States and Bolivia. This creates a competitive opportunity for other airlines to step in and capture market share. With no direct competition on the Santa Cruz-Miami route, there is potential for another carrier to establish a profitable service.

The decision by American Airlines to discontinue the route was likely influenced by economic factors. Operating a long-haul route with a wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 757 can be costly, and the airline may have struggled to make the route profitable. By ending the service, American Airlines is choosing to allocate their resources to other routes that may offer better financial returns.

The impact of this decision extends beyond travel convenience. Bolivia's natural beauty and tourism potential are now at risk of being overlooked due to the absence of a direct flight connection with the United States. Additionally, the country's insistence on a $160 visa fee for American tourists further discourages potential visitors.

However, it's important to note that there are still indirect flight options available between the two countries. Passengers can choose to fly with airlines that offer connecting flights via other South American countries, although this may be less convenient and more time-consuming. Despite the challenges, Bolivia remains a desirable destination for those seeking authentic travel experiences away from package tourism.

American Airlines cites evaluation of its network as the reason

American Airlines has ended its flights to Bolivia, citing "evaluation of its network" as the reason. The decision to discontinue the route between Miami and Santa Cruz, Bolivia, which was in service for 29 years, was announced in July 2019 and took effect on November 28, 2019. This move left Boliviana de Aviacion as the only airline offering non-stop service between the US and Bolivia.

American Airlines' decision to end its service to Bolivia was met with surprise and confusion by some, including travel agents and the airline's customers. However, the airline stated that the decision was made as part of their constant evaluation of their network, aiming to ensure profitability and long-term success in the face of global competition. In a statement, an American Airlines executive expressed that the choice was difficult and that they were working closely with the impacted team members.

The cancellation of the Miami-Santa Cruz route marked the end of American Airlines' presence in Bolivia, as they had previously cancelled flights from La Paz in 2018. This intra-Bolivian flight, which operated between La Paz and Santa Cruz, was unique in that it was the only American Airlines route that did not involve a takeoff or landing in the United States.

The decision to end flights to Bolivia appears to be driven by a combination of operational considerations and market dynamics. American Airlines' statement suggests that they were seeking to streamline their operations and focus on routes that are more lucrative and better positioned for long-term success.

The cancellation of the route may also have been influenced by the challenges of operating in Bolivia. According to reports, American Airlines faced difficulties in making the economics work on the route, and the country's $160 visa fee for Americans may have deterred potential tourists. Additionally, the presence of the national airline, Boliviana de Aviacion, offering direct flights between Miami and Santa Cruz, provided competition on the route.

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