Questions to Estuardo Ortiz, JetSMART CEO

1. What does operating 50 aircraft mean for connectivity and for JetSMART?

Reaching a fleet of 50 aircraft is a historic milestone for JetSMART. We have also reached our 50th destination, served through 85 routes, and flown 50 million passengers. It has been a long journey to get here, going through the COVID-19 pandemic and many changes in our region. We are very proud to see how the Ultra Low Cost Model in South America—what I call the SMART Model—is a successful and proven model. We have become the third-largest airline in South America, excluding Brazil’s domestic market, and the second in Argentina and Medellin.

By building a point-to-point network almost from scratch, we have connected cities that previously relied on slow, long-distance ground transportation, making air travel accessible to millions who had never flown before. This expansion has strengthened our presence across Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Colombia, proving that our model is resilient, and has firmly established JetSMART as a relevant, competitive force. Also, JetSMART has been recognized as the #1 Low-Cost Carrier in South America and #3 in the overall ranking, as per the SKYTRAX World Airline Awards.

Ultimately, surpassing this milestone has enabled us to contribute to a more competitive and sustainable aviation industry in South America, positioning JetSMART strongly within the new, more consolidated market structure.

2. How does the A320 Family contribute to JetSMART's growth?

The A320 Family is absolutely central to our growth strategy because it underpins our foundation of cost efficiency and low fares. By operating one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the region, we ensure the lowest possible cost base. Our strict cost discipline enables us to be the region's lowest-cost airline and offer the lowest fares on the market. This makes flying affordable for everyone while ensuring we remain profitable.

Our deep relationship with the A320 Family is greatly expanded by our partnership with Indigo Partners, the largest Airbus narrow-body buyer globally. We have a large order book of 125 firm aircraft, plus options, allowing for future growth while also having the flexibility to pace deliveries, compared to our recent hyper-growth phase.

3. What's next for JetSMART?

I see tremendous growth potential in the region for JetSMART. We have been a key factor—the JetSMART factor—to stimulate the market in Chile, since 2016 from a 0.6 trips per capita to 1.2 in 2025. We see larger countries like Argentina at 0.3, and Colombia at 0.9 trips per capita, so our focus is to bring affordable air travel to all cities and passengers in the region. Now we can leverage our seven operating bases, which serve four domestic markets and nine countries. Just recently we inaugurated our first route to the Caribbean, with flights landing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Looking ahead, we are committed to maintaining our simple and consistent customer proposition—low fares, easy digital experience, friendly service, and modern fleet—while seeking to enhance it further and remain as the cost leader in the region. We will use the flexibility of our diversified presence and larger fleet to navigate the volatility of the regional economies, adjusting capacity to seize opportunities and protect our profitability.