From start-up to forerunner: Aruba Airlines' path to expansion

On the occasion of Aruba Airlines’ inaugural flight from Aruba to the Venezuelan city of Valencia, Noticias Airbus caught up with Esteban Valles, Aruba Airlines’ founder, for a candid interview about the company, its rapid expansion and the market’s reaction.

Aruba Airlines, a startup airline in the Caribbean that operates two A320 aircraft in a dual-class configuration, started operations in May of this year with initial flights to Maracaibo, Venezuela, and Panama City, Panama. Aruba has been the Caribbean’s first adopter in recent years to operate latest-technology aircraft such as the A320.

What inspired the creation of Aruba Airlines?

“Aruba Airlines was an initiative begun by two pilots in 2006. The operation was very small at the time, made up of just one Piper Chieftain flying short air taxi routes. In 2012 a group of professionals acquired the company with the goal of making Aruba Airlines the country’s flagship airline and a model for the region, spreading a philosophy of safety and good service around the world. And so you could say that what truly inspired and motivated the creation of THE REAL ARUBA AIRLINES was our desire to serve as a model for the region.”

Taking into account the airline’s rapid expansion, what can we expect in the future?

“Safety and service are our goals. We want to have a solid foundation for growth and to remain above average in everything we do, with an obligation to the most important consideration of all, our passengers."

What has the market response been to date, and how have passengers reacted?

“Thank goodness the market has given us the opportunity to play a leading role and to show passengers what we are capable of ….The welcome we’ve received has been beyond our expectations.”

Airbus is proud to welcome Aruba Airlines to the nearly 30 customer airlines operating in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we hope their growth and vision will inspire other airlines in the Caribbean to rejuvenate their fleets.

For more information contact:
Jürgen Lebacs
Customer Support Director
jurgen.lebacs@airbus.com