Aerolineas Galapagos (AeroGal), the Ecuadorian AviancaTaca affiliate, has announced the completion of its fleet renewal from older generation Boeing 737s to Airbus A320 family aircraft, while confirming plans to merge Quito-based regional airline VIP into its structure.
Since it was taken over by Bogota-based AviancaTaca in late 2010, the airline has received three Airbus A320s and six A319s from its corporate parent, substituting a mix of 737-300s and -200s, as well as a 757. A single 767-300ER remains with the airline.
An AeroGal source also confirms that the airline will absorb "before the end of this year" Aerolinea VIP, a Fairchild Dornier 328 turboprop operator that is owned by Colombia's Synergy Group, the majority shareholder of AviancaTaca. While the source confirms that AeroGal will start operating VIP's principal routes from Quito to Coca and Lago Agrio using A319 aircraft, he could not confirm if the turboprops will become part of AeroGal's fleet and what would happen to VIP's lower traffic routes.
This merger will simplify AviancaTaca's ownership and operational structures in Ecuador although it will allow its local subsidiary to continue operating under the AeroGal brand. VIP already flies with the common AviancaTaca livery adapted by the rest of the carriers of the group in Colombia, Central America, Peru and Brazil.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
