The air taxi boom in Ecuador

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The 2017 was characterized by few developments in domestic commercial aviation, However, another line of business in the sector took off and the boom in air taxi in Ecuador.

As a potential alternative to the high cost of air tickets in Ecuador or in search of a better service in the face of growing user complaints, several companies have been formed, others have already requested an operating permit and others that already existed have redefined their plans for the local market. With the known situation of domestic airlines in the country led by the complex situation of Tame, an economy in recession as well as the aeronautical market, national entrepreneurs and foreign investors have seen a potential space for a new type of operation with the potential to be exploited.

What is an air taxi?

This type of service is characterized by not being regular, nor for being marketed in an open way or by itinerary as an airline could do. The flights of an air taxi or also known as private flights, are given on demand or due to the need of individuals or companies. Some air taxis that, for example, operate in the Ecuadorian Amazon, they fly under a kind of operation with determined schedules to community runways and somehow fulfill an itinerary, but subject to demand and weather conditions in the area.

Although the air taxi or executive transport in Ecuador is not new and there are several consolidated companies in the country, year 2017 it was very special for this sector and some of them even changed from air taxi to a charter operation with the projection of incorporating larger aircraft. Next, we detail the new companies, old or those that are going to start flying, Over time, this list will be updated according to other air taxi companies as they renew their respective operating permits..

Air taxi companies in Ecuador

(Sorted in descending order alphabetically)

WestPacific

Tame Amazonia

Sky Ecuador

Servicios Aerofor S.A

Regional Air Service

Air Services Sayafi Aersayafi

LAENSA

INTEGRAAIR

HTS Helicopter Transport Service

fumipalma

Connect Air

ENDECOTS

EMETEBE

Aerosarayacu

Green Amazon

Wings of Relief

Aerosangay

Aeromorona

Aerokashurko

Aircraft

General Aeroservices Arica

Aeroinsa

Airplanes

Aeromaster

The operation of these companies is carried out with airplanes, mainly Cessna or Piper of up to 9 passengers, while others their service is carried out purely in helicopter flights. For instance, one of the most recent companies will incorporate new airplanes from the Cirrus 22T factory, which will be a great change for this type of service in the country and will define a new level for all competitors in the sector.

It should be noted that these companies operate under the regulation RDAC 135 for non-regular air taxi operation.

How much does a private flight cost?

Consulting existing companies, a Guayaquil flight – Quito – Guayaquil for 5 passengers can cost more than $3.000 dollars in total, but with the advantage that the flight will take off from the origin and destination at the time that the client needs, have preferential access, do not operate from the passenger terminal, which prevents the client from having to be 1 O 2 hours before the flight and clients get personalized VIP service, since the vast majority of air taxis have their own passenger terminal equipped with complementary drinks and snacks.

This reference price may vary if, for example, the base of the plane is different from that of the client's departure airport or if the plane must spend the night at an airport or return empty to its base.

Other companies indicated that depending on the destination, costs can be from $200 dollars per person round trip, but with a minimum occupation of 4 passengers.

Is there business in the air taxi?

With so many companies being formed or in expansion plans, These must have carried out their respective market studies to endorse their operation and be able to continue investing.. The main air taxi operation takes place in eastern Ecuador, occupying the 35% of this type of operation approx.. In the east, air taxis have a complex operation, flying to third order runways within remote and remote communities, providing more than anything, a social service, but obviously, looking for profitability.

In second position are the flights in Galapagos, known as inter-island flights or internal flights in the Enchanted Islands, which are mainly with foreign passengers.

The third region in operational importance is the Costa, where the air taxi operation is focused on the transfer of goods or values, service to shrimp farms or companies in the region.

Finally, flights within the Ecuadorian Sierra are few and limited, occupying the last position in the non-regular market.

Non-scheduled domestic air transport statistics

During the 2016, This segment of transport in Ecuador presented a marked reduction in demand with a -29.90% compared to the year 2015. Year 2017, with statistics yet to be completed, there would have been an improvement.

During the year 2015 they were transported 54.476 passengers versus 38.190 at 2016, what they imply 16.286 fewer passengers.

The list indicates each of the air taxis that operated during the 2015 and 2016 and their respective statistics. List includes AEROLANE, AeroGal and Tame since they also operated non-scheduled flights.

Main air taxi routes in Ecuador 2016

pasta

Isabela

Macas

Taisha

Manta

Santa Rosa

The main airport with air taxi operation is Pastaza, followed by Isabela Island in Galapagos, Macas, Taisha, Manta and Santa Rosa that account for the largest number of passengers transported and most show growth. While other important destinations such as Quito and/or Guayaquil moved in the 2016 only 907 passengers, Latacunga 692, Baltra 526 and basin 381.

These data allow us to realize where the air taxi business is going and to understand even more the plans that each of the companies presented during the 2017. It is a market that moves more than 38 thousand passengers, but the key is to find the market and fly where the demand is already.

Is your company missing from the list? leave me an email at [email protected] to include it.

Ecuador air taxi photo gallery

Special thanks to MTOP – Ministry of Transportation and Public Works, Undersecretary of Air Transport for statistics.

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