Flybondi Launches Flights to Río Gallegos, Expanding Connectivity in Southern Argentina
On Monday, February 3, Flybondi began operating flights to Río Gallegos, in Santa Cruz province. The airline will fly between Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) and Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport from Thursday to Tuesday, with the possibility of increasing to daily service depending on demand and fleet availability.
Flight Schedule and Inaugural Flight Details
Flight FO5370 departs at 3:00 PM, with an estimated arrival time of 6:30 PM, though the actual flight duration is approximately three hours. The inaugural flight departed on time (3:11 PM) and landed at 5:58 PM.
The aircraft used was a Boeing 737-800 (LV-KDR), part of Flybondi’s dry-leased fleet, and was welcomed in Río Gallegos by local authorities, who acknowledged the airline’s role in expanding the city's limited air connectivity.
"Strengthening air connectivity is a priority for the province. This new route will boost tourism and business travel, driving economic growth. It is the result of close collaboration between the provincial government, tourism authorities, and Flybondi. We believe this initiative will benefit both residents and visitors," said Nicolás Brizuela, Minister of Government.
"We are committed to expanding connectivity, not only by adding new routes but also by ensuring that flying is more accessible," added Federico Pastori, Flybondi’s CCO. "We expect to transport around 8,000 passengers per month on this route and, to encourage demand, we are launching a promotional fare of 59,900 pesos."
Potential for Increased Frequency and Government Support
Pastori also mentioned that, while the route currently operates six times per week, it could become a daily service if ticket sales justify the expansion.
"We are assessing demand with an initial Thursday-to-Tuesday schedule, but our goal is to reach daily service. As we continue to grow our fleet, we aim to develop more interprovincial routes and increase frequencies," he explained.
The route was established through negotiations between Flybondi and the provincial government, which includes a subsidy program.
"Our collaboration with the provincial government has been key. Their support has allowed us to move forward with this initiative, which we believe will bring both economic and tourism benefits to the region," Pastori added.
Brizuela reinforced the province’s long-term commitment to the project: "The province is not only symbolically supporting this initiative but also taking concrete actions. We are evaluating different mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of these new connections."
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