Argentina low-cost airline Flybondi has seen a reduction in its activity from its operational base in El Palomar International Airport (EPA), following the results of a judicial resolution.
Federal Judge Martina Forns banned the operation of commercial flights at EPA between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am, making it the only airport in Latin America to have such a curfew.
The judicial decision came as a result of the complaint of a local resident who claimed the night time flight activity had a negative impact on sleep.
As a result of the judicial measures, Flybondi’s entire flight schedule will be affected.
All current flights scheduled until March 2020 will be reprogrammed and various flights will have to be cancelled, affecting hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Sebastián Pereira, CEO of Flybondi, commented: “We are very concerned about this measure because it directly affects hundreds of thousands of passengers and thousands of workers. It could have a much wider negative impact on the domestic airline industry as it sets a very negative precedent for other airports in Argentina which operate in urban and similar operational conditions to El Palomar.
“It is important to bear in mind that the magnitude of this decision is not only national but also regional, because it will negatively impact the connectivity of all Argentine provinces and even regional routes. We question the real motivations of the judge which is supposedly to allow one neighbour to sleep while taking away the right to work, to travel low cost, and even the right to a better quality of life for thousands of people."
Despite these new operating conditions at one of the most important airports for the low-cost business model, Flybondi maintains its long-term commitment in Argentina and the Latin American region, to generate greater connectivity, increased direct and indirect employment, and improved travel accessibility for thousands of people.