Colombian start-up La Nueva Aerolinea (LNA)
 

New Posada-led Colombian low-cost carrier plans October launch. First impression, what an ugly name for an already overcrowded market. Link below.
Boeing Airbus Data and Airline Industry News from Flightglobal

Declan Ryan majority shareholder of LNA
 

In an article today in Aero Latin News, Juan Emilio Posada, President of LNA (La Nueva Aerolinea,) a Colombian low-cost airline 'start-up' slated to begin scheduled services in October 2011, announced that the majority shareholder in this new airline is none other than Declan Ryan. It's reported that Mr. Ryan met yesterday with Colombian President, Juan Manuel Santos and with the Minister of Transport, Germán Cardona to "to formalize links with Colombia for the launch of a low-cost airline", whose name will be announced today when ​​the airline is officially launched. While previous communications from LNA have only spoken of operating national routes, it was announced yesterday that they will also operate international routes, most likely with neighbouring countries. Although LNA's AOC covers both Boeing and Airbus aircraft, the involvement of Mr. Ryan will probably signify that LNA will be equipped with 737-800's and coincidentally, RyanAir has 3 such aircraft in storage at present. The Ryan family have other airline interests such as Viva Aerobus in Mexico, Tiger Airways in Asia and Allegiant in the USA.

Although some question whether the 'Low-Cost' model is a good fit for the Latin American market, and cite the financial situation at Aires as evidence, passenger numbers increased significantly when fares were reduced. Juan Emilio Posada and his executives are counting on this trend continuing so as to ensure the success of LNA.

At present, LNA is actively looking for a Chief Pilot, and as Aires was the only other 737 operator in the country, they may have to look to foreign nationals for a suitable candidate.

Regards,


Mango Biche

The Airline formerly known as LNA...
 

It's official! At a Press conference this afternoon in Bogota, Juan Emilio Posada ended the speculation over the name of the new Colombian LCC, their name? Viva Colombia...

As mentioned in a previous post, the majority shareholder is Declan Ryan with other interested parties being Autotransportes Mexicanos (these behind Viva Aerobus) another Ryan investment and Fast (the LNA holding company) accompanied by Inversiones Bolivar who are close associates of Juan Posada.

Although they were intending to begin scheduled services in October 2011, Fred Jacobsen the President of Viva Colombia explained that the capitalisation process would take about nine months to complete, and therefore they now plan to begin scheduled services in May 2012.

Initially the airline will concentrate on the 'trunk' routes in Colombia, such as Bogota to Cartagena and according to Posada they intend to offer "national coverage and join a number of points which today have no direct service in Colombia" which dovetails nicely with the philosophy of LCC's Point-to-Point routes. They also announced tentative plans for International flights to neighbour countries, once the national route structure is mature.

In terms of aircraft, Gabriel Migowski their V.P. of Finances indicated that they will choose either A320's with 180 seats in all 'Y' configuration, or 737-800's in a similar configuration with 189 seats. But he did not say when the fleet acquisition final decision would be taken. The most likely candidate would be the A320 as Posada operated a similar fleet at Aces and the top MRO facility in Colombia, Indaer International, has experience of the type. But maybe Ryan will have something to say about that?

Well, a few surprises there with the investors and the delayed launch, but this is one start-up that will be successful!

Cheers,


Mango Biche.

Successful ?
 

How do you know it will be successful?

I'm not being argumentative, am just curious, it's a rather bold statement, unless of course there is a note of sarcasm there.

Best,

D.O.G

Appologies to D.O.G.
 

D.O.G.

Sincere appologies for not having replied to your post sooner; I simply hadn't seen it! How do (did) I know that VivaColombia will (would) be successful? Knowing some of those involved helps! I first met J.E. Posada at the LSE back in the early 80's and he was a 'live wire' back then. I watched him develop ACES into the best airline in Colombia, and sufferred with him the failure of Allianza Suma and his subsequent short tenure with Avianca. When he launched LNA with Will, Fred and Gabriel I instinctively knew that it would be a success and time has proved my hunch to be right. However, the recent switch in ownership has muddied the waters, as Viva Colombia has no Colombian shareholders right now! Add to that some of the original team being on 'sabbatical' instead of being actively involved in the day to day operations and I'm begining to see divisions in the airline. I could speculate that as the original founders were behind 'FAST Group,' and FAST sold their shareholding to Irlandia Aviation (Ryan family,) that the founders have 'cashed out' for whatever reason. However, until I receive some concrete information this is purely an opinion! Irrespective of what happens in Colombia, the 'Viva' brand is set to replicate around the whole region, and I have a shrewd notion of who'll be fronting that expansion!

Again, sorry for the lack of a reply :O it won't happen again!

Tropical Greetings,

M.B.