Amaszonas Airlines: Bolivian Airports And Their Locations

Amaszonas, also known as Línea Aérea Amaszonas, is a Bolivian-based airline headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia. The airline was founded in 1998 and began operations in 2000. Its main base is La Paz El Alto International Airport, which is the highest international airport in the world at 13,325 feet. The airport is located in El Alto, the second-largest city in Bolivia, and also serves La Paz, the third-largest city. Amaszonas operates scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout Bolivia and to neighbouring countries, including Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay.

Amaszonas' main base is La Paz El Alto International Airport

Amaszonas, or Línea Aérea Amaszonas, is a Bolivian airline headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia. Its main base is La Paz El Alto International Airport, which is located in the city of El Alto, 13 kilometres (8 miles) west of La Paz. At an elevation of 4,061.5 metres (13,325 feet), it is the highest international airport in the world and the seventh-highest commercial airport. The airport has been in service since the first half of the 20th century but was modernised in the late 1960s with a new passenger terminal.

Amaszonas operates scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout Bolivia and to neighbouring countries such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. The airline was founded in 1998 but only began flight services in 2000, initially using a small fleet of turboprop aircraft. In 2012, it acquired larger aircraft and began offering scheduled passenger services.

El Alto International Airport is a hub for both the Military Air Transport for Bolivia and Amaszonas. Other airlines that operate from the airport include American Airlines, Avianca, Boliviana de Aviación, EcoJet, LAN Airlines, LAN Peru, Sky Airline and TAM Airlines. The airport has two runways, with the main one allowing large aircraft operations at higher altitudes. The new terminal, opened in 2006, includes various shops, bookstores, duty-free shops, restaurants and cafes.

Amaszonas' flights to Bolivia's smaller cities, such as Uyuni and Rurrenabaque

Amaszonas, or Línea Aérea Amaszonas, is a Bolivian airline headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia. It operates scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout the northern and northeastern regions of the country, as well as to neighbouring countries like Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay.

Amaszonas offers flights to smaller cities in Bolivia, such as Uyuni and Rurrenabaque.

Amaszonas Flights to Uyuni

Uyuni is a popular destination for tourists, and Amaszonas offers cheap flights to the city. The airline's website provides up-to-date flight statuses, durations, departure and arrival times, and ticket prices for flights to Uyuni.

Amaszonas Flights to Rurrenabaque

Amaszonas offers flights from La Paz to Rurrenabaque, a stunning journey over the Cordillera Real mountains and down to the Amazon jungle. The flight takes approximately 45 minutes, and there are typically two flights per day in each direction.

Passengers flying with Amaszonas must be at the airport one hour before the scheduled departure time. The airline's check-in procedures require a valid photo ID, and passengers must confirm their reservations at least 24 hours in advance. Amaszonas offers a baggage allowance of 20kg for adults and 10kg for minors on domestic flights.

Amaszonas' acquisition by NELLA Airlines Group

Amaszonas, legally known as Compañía de Servicios de Transporte Aéreo Amaszonas S.A., was a regional airline based in Bolivia. It was headquartered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and operated scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout the northern and northeastern regions of the country, as well as neighbouring countries like Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay.

In August 2021, the airline was acquired by NELLA Airlines Group, a Brazilian-US holding company. NELLA Airlines Inc., chiefly owned by a Brazilian citizen, acquired 100% control of the Bolivian airline. Sergio de Urioste, the executive president of Amaszonas, assured that all company workers would keep their jobs and that the six-aircraft fleet would remain operational in Bolivia. He also stated that the initial task would be financial restoration by adjusting debts and gradually recovering the company's operations.

The acquisition by NELLA Airlines came at a time when the aviation industry was facing a crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. De Urioste acknowledged the challenges posed by the pandemic and highlighted the opportunities it presented for companies ready to make large investments. The pandemic caused a disastrous effect on the global economy and commercial aviation, with several airlines closing operations or making drastic decisions to stay in the market.

Following the acquisition, NELLA Airlines planned to integrate Amaszonas into its growth strategy for Latin America. Amaszonas' network hub was located at El Alto International Airport, which is also a hub for the Military Air Transport for Bolivia. Amaszonas offered scheduled flights to various destinations within Bolivia and neighbouring countries, including Jorge Wilstermann International Airport, Viru Viru International Airport, and Capitán Oriel Lea Plaza Airport.

In September 2023, NELLA Airlines sold Amaszonas to businessman Luiz (also known as Luis) Divino. This sale occurred after Amaszonas temporarily suspended its operations in August 2023 due to a dispute with its aircraft lessor and the Bolivian government. On November 19, 2023, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics announced the suspension of Amaszonas' air operator's certificate.

Amaszonas' suspension of operations in August 2023

Amaszonas, a regional airline based in Bolivia, was forced to suspend its operations in August 2023 due to a dispute with its aircraft lessor, GY Aviation Lease 1816, and the Bolivian government. The suspension left around 2000 passengers stranded and affected the airline's scheduled flights to various destinations within Bolivia and neighbouring countries.

Amaszonas leased four Embraer E190 aircraft from GY Aviation Lease 1816, but a dispute arose when the lessor claimed that the airline's contract had ended on June 22, while Amaszonas asserted that the contract extended until 2026. The lessor also claimed that Amaszonas had accumulated debt related to the lease, amounting to approximately $12 million. As a result, the Bolivian government intervened and withdrew the registrations of Amaszonas' aircraft, preventing them from operating until the dispute was resolved.

The suspension of operations had significant ramifications for Amaszonas. The airline was unable to generate revenue to meet its commitments and faced a growing debt burden exceeding $17 million. The uncertainty surrounding the situation also damaged the confidence of its customers, potentially impacting their future business. Additionally, the conflict with the Bolivian government raised concerns about the independence of powers in the country and the respect for judicial decisions.

In the aftermath of the suspension, Amaszonas faced an uncertain future. While the airline had the option to lease aircraft from other providers and resume operations, it was unclear if they were actively pursuing this option. The forced suspension of operations, accumulated debts, conflict with the lessor, and lack of immediate liquidity created challenges for potential negotiations to acquire new aircraft in the short term.

In September 2023, NELLA Airlines Group, which had acquired Amaszonas in August 2021, sold the airline to businessman Luis Divino. However, the suspension of operations and the subsequent impact on the airline's reputation and finances likely played a role in NELLA's decision to sell the airline. On November 19, 2023, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics announced the suspension of Amaszonas' air operator's certificate, further complicating the airline's future prospects.

Amaszonas' history and founding

Amaszonas, officially known as Línea Aérea Amaszonas, is a Bolivian airline headquartered in La Paz, Bolivia. The airline was founded on 1 October 1998, but flight services only commenced in 2000. Amaszonas initially operated chartered services using a small fleet of turboprop aircraft.

In 2012, Amaszonas acquired larger aircraft, launching scheduled passenger services. The first of these 50-seat jet aircraft was put into service in late August on the La Paz-Santa Cruz de la Sierra route. Amaszonas operated scheduled and chartered short-haul passenger flights throughout the northern and northeastern regions of Bolivia, as well as neighbouring countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay. The network's hub was located at El Alto International Airport, which is currently the international airport that stands the highest above ground level.

In 2014, Amaszonas announced it would lease 9 CRJ200 aircraft to expand its regional network, intending to fly to up to 40 destinations by 2017. In 2015, Amaszonas purchased the Uruguayan airline BQB Líneas Aéreas, taking over its routes. Amaszonas also owned Amaszonas Uruguay, which flew to Uruguay, but these operations were dormant during the Coronavirus pandemic.

In August 2021, Amaszonas was acquired by the US-based NELLA Airlines Inc. However, in August 2023, Amaszonas temporarily suspended its operations after a dispute with its aircraft's lessor and the Bolivian government. The following month, NELLA sold the airline to businessman Luis Divino. Unfortunately, on 19 November 2023, the General Directorate of Civil Aeronautics announced the suspension of Amaszonas' air operator's certificate.

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