Latin American Wings

Latin American Wings, commonly known as LAW, was a Chilean scheduled charter and low-cost airline based at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago. The carrier was created by a consortium that included lawyers, executives from the insurance and construction sectors, and pilots who had worked for Middle Eastern airlines. Andrés Dulcinelli led the airline. The consortium reportedly committed approximately US$3 million to the venture, with the possibility of increasing the investment to US$5 million, although the airline remained a relatively small entrant in the Chilean aviation market. LAW was conceived around the idea of serving markets that were considered underserved by established airlines. Its first flight took place on 27 January 2016, operating from Santiago to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic with a technical stop in Lima. The initial aircraft was a Boeing 737-300 belonging to the fellow Chilean start-up Chilejet. The carrier subsequently developed a network linking Chile with destinations in South America and the Caribbean, including the Port-au-Prince route that later became central to regulatory and political scrutiny. The airline’s operating model combined scheduled passenger services with charter-style international operations. It sought to expand its fleet and network during its brief existence. In 2017, its chief executive discussed a plan to add as many as 14 Boeing 737-300 aircraft over the following two years. LAW also planned to obtain larger Boeing 767-300 aircraft operated by Air New Zealand and Boeing 757-200 aircraft operated by Icelandair, although the available reference material does not establish that all of those planned aircraft entered service with LAW. LAW faced strong competitive pressure in Chile. Established carrier Sky Airline already had a significant position, while JetSmart was emerging as a new low-cost competitor. LAW did not secure a meaningful share of the domestic market and abandoned all domestic operations on 9 January 2018. Its international operation then became increasingly difficult after it was unable to continue using Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima as a technical stop from 15 March 2018. On 10 March, the airline announced that it was suspending operations. The company also attracted official scrutiny. In February 2017, the Chilean government filed a complaint concerning possible involvement in the smuggling of Haitian immigrants. The complaint related to the Santiago–Port-au-Prince route and an estimate that approximately 14,000 people may have been smuggled through the route. The available material describes this as a government complaint and allegation rather than a confirmed finding of criminal liability. LAW’s short operating life, limited scale, competitive difficulties, route disruptions, and regulatory controversy contributed to its disappearance from the Chilean airline market.

Latin American Wings was established in Chile by a consortium whose members came from several professional and commercial backgrounds. The group included lawyers, executives associated with insurance and construction, and pilots with experience at Middle Eastern airlines. Andrés Dulcinelli served as the airline's chief executive. The founders reportedly invested about US$3 million and considered increasing the capital commitment to US$5 million. LAW's stated commercial rationale was to serve international markets that were not adequately served by incumbent carriers. The airline began flying on 27 January 2016, when it operated its first service from Santiago to Punta Cana. The flight used a technical stop in Lima and was operated with a Boeing 737-300 belonging to Chilejet, another Chilean start-up. LAW therefore entered the market with a relatively modest operating base while pursuing an international network strategy. Its operations were based at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago. During 2017, LAW presented plans for substantial fleet growth. The airline had considered receiving two Boeing 767-300 aircraft operated by Air New Zealand and two Boeing 757-200 aircraft operated by Icelandair. In August 2017, its chief executive said that the airline intended to add as many as 14 Boeing 737-300 aircraft during the next two years. The available historical material records these as plans and does not confirm that the full expansion occurred. LAW's route development brought both commercial opportunity and regulatory exposure. It operated services to destinations in South America and the Caribbean, including Port-au-Prince. In February 2017, the Chilean government filed a complaint over possible links between the airline's Santiago–Port-au-Prince route and the smuggling of Haitian immigrants. The government estimate cited approximately 14,000 people. The reference material identifies a complaint and allegation, not a definitive adjudication, so the episode should be treated as a major regulatory and reputational controversy rather than as an established conviction. The airline struggled to build a durable competitive position in Chile. Sky Airline was already an established competitor, and JetSmart was entering the market with a low-cost proposition. LAW was unable to obtain a significant domestic market share and discontinued all domestic services on 9 January 2018. It continued to face operational constraints internationally. In March 2018, the airline learned that it would no longer be able to use Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima as a technical stop beginning on 15 March. On 10 March, it announced that operations were being suspended. The carrier was consequently short-lived and is now defunct. Its history illustrates the difficulties faced by small airline entrants attempting to scale quickly while depending on connecting airports, leased or borrowed aircraft, and international routes subject to regulatory and infrastructure constraints.

• 2018

  Domestic operations discontinued

  [1]Latin American Wingsen.wikipedia.org

  The airline ended all domestic operations on 9 January after failing to secure a significant share of the Chilean market.

• 2018

  Operations suspended

  [1]Latin American Wingsen.wikipedia.org

  LAW announced on 10 March that it was suspending operations after losing access to Jorge Chávez International Airport as a technical stop from 15 March.

• 2017

  Fleet expansion plans announced

  [1]Latin American Wingsen.wikipedia.org

  LAW's chief executive described a plan to add up to 14 Boeing 737-300 aircraft over the following two years; the carrier had also considered larger Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft.

• 2016

  First commercial flight

  [1]Latin American Wingsen.wikipedia.org

  LAW operated its first flight on 27 January from Santiago to Punta Cana, with a technical stop in Lima and a Boeing 737-300 associated with Chilejet.

A Chilean low-cost scheduled and charter airline focused on international routes to underserved South American and Caribbean markets.

• Passenger airline services · 2016

  Scheduled international passenger flights

  LAW operated scheduled international passenger services from its Santiago base to destinations in South America and the Caribbean. Its network was designed to address markets that the airline regarded as underserved, with some routes requiring technical stops such as Lima.

• Charter airline services

  Charter air services

  The airline was described as both a scheduled and charter carrier. Its charter-oriented capability complemented its scheduled network and formed part of its broader low-cost international aviation model, although the available source does not provide a complete list of charter contracts or routes.

• International passenger route · 2016

  Santiago–Punta Cana route

  Punta Cana was the destination of LAW's first flight, launched from Santiago on 27 January 2016. The service initially included a technical stop in Lima and represented the airline's entry into Caribbean international travel.

• International passenger route

  Santiago–Port-au-Prince route

  LAW operated a Santiago–Port-au-Prince service as part of its Caribbean network. The route later attracted government scrutiny in Chile because of allegations concerning the smuggling of Haitian immigrants.

• 2017

  Government complaint concerning alleged Haitian migrant smuggling

  The Chilean government filed a complaint in February 2017 over possible implications involving Haitian immigrant smuggling on the Santiago–Port-au-Prince route. The estimate cited approximately 14,000 people. The available source does not establish a final criminal judgment against LAW.

  Source

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• 2018

  Withdrawal from domestic flyingStrategy

  Background

  LAW had not gained a significant domestic market share against Sky Airline and the emerging JetSmart.

  Action taken

  The airline abandoned all domestic operations on 9 January 2018.

  Aftermath

  LAW became focused on its remaining international activity before suspending all operations two months later.

  Source

• 2018

  Suspension of operationsOther

  Background

  The airline was unable to continue using Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima as a technical stop from 15 March.

  Action taken

  LAW announced on 10 March that it was suspending operations.

  Aftermath

  The short-lived airline ceased operating and is regarded as defunct.

  Source

• 2017

  Plan to scale the Boeing 737 fleetStrategy

  Background

  LAW was pursuing growth in underserved international markets while competing with established and newly launched Chilean airlines.

  Action taken

  The chief executive stated in August 2017 that the airline planned to add up to 14 Boeing 737-300 aircraft over the next two years.

  Aftermath

  The available reference does not confirm that the planned fleet expansion was completed.

  Source

1. 1Latin American Wingsen.wikipedia.org