Low-cost airline JetSMART announces that it will open domestic flights in Peru, establishing a commitment to unite Peruvian families and the country's economic recovery.
With the new domestic routes, the company plans to make its ultra-low fares available to all Peruvians so that everyone can travel safely and reliably inland. JetSMART is also considering opening new international routes from the country to destinations in South America and the Caribbean.
JetSMART is managing the licenses with the Peruvian authorities to obtain the Air Operator Certification (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) and thus comply with all the regulations and operational safety requirements demanded in that country. The goal is to start operating domestic flights in the country during the first half of 2021.
“The crisis the industry is going through has tested the effectiveness of our ultra low cost, flexible and efficient model. It was an opportunity to innovate and explore new businesses that we have not yet considered, diversifying our expansion plan and participation in the region. For this reason, we decided to start the certification process for domestic flights in Peru and our goal is to become a local airline”, explained Estuardo Ortiz, CEO of JetSMART.
“We believe in Peru and its development. We expect the recovery from the pandemic to be faster in domestic markets. We see an opportunity to develop our model for the benefit of all Peruvian men and women.”, added Ortiz.
One of JetSMART's focuses is to promote the model of interregional flights, that is, the airline seeks to leverage air routes that not only through Lima, but also cover other airports in the country, decongesting air traffic in the capital.
These and all of the company's flights go hand in hand with the highest standards of maintenance, providing safety and peace of mind in the travels of all Peruvian engers.
In addition, the airline has developed a strict hygiene and biosafety protocol called the SMART Commitment, which consists of a series of measures considered before, during and after the flight.
When engers check in online, they must present a declaration that they are not infected with the new coronavirus and that they have not been in with infected people.
Social distance will be respected at airport check-in, so that engers have as little as possible with those who serve them. The use of a mask will be mandatory for counter staff and engers. In addition, a temperature check will be carried out before boarding the plane.
During the flight, it is worth mentioning that the air conditioning system of the JetSMART Airbus A320 captures fresh air through the upper part of the enger cabin and flows to the floor, reducing the possibility of spreading any virus. Part of this air is evacuated to the outside through the plane's pressurization system valve and another part enters the air recirculation system, where it es through HEPA filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestor), which are high efficiency filters capable of eliminate 99,9% of viruses and bacteria.
In addition, the system is capable of completely renewing the air in the cabin every 3 minutes. That means engers have 80 times more fresh air than they normally breathe. Airbus certifies that these filters are capable of providing air quality that meets the standards set for hospital operating rooms.
In addition, in accordance with WHO recommendations, every night the planes are subjected to rigorous cleaning and disinfection, using disinfectants approved by the aircraft manufacturer.
In Peru, JetSMART started operations in December 2017 with international flights between Santiago de Chile and Lima. Then, expansion continued in April 2019 with international flights connecting the city of Arequipa to Santiago de Chile, and finally, in December 2019, it inaugurated the route between Santiago de Chile and Trujillo, managing to transport more than 300 engers to date. .
“COVID-19 has severely affected air traffic in the region. This led us to readjust and modify our fleet expansion plan and continue building the region's leading ultra low cost airline. Our proposal is simple and we hope that, at this stage, it will be a positive contribution to connectivity, tourism and employment in Peru. An opportunity opened up in the market with the departure of some operators and we are ready to take advantage of it”, added the CEO of JetSMART.
Currently, JetSMART has a fleet of 17 Airbus A320 aircraft, all new. The most recent aircraft, as well as all those to come, are the A320neo, the most advanced, sustainable and efficient model in its category. JetSMART has ordered more than 100 aircraft from Airbus, which it plans to put into service by 2026 in its regional plans.
