Southern Winds Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
A4 SWD SOUTHERN WINDS
Founded1996
Commenced operations1996
Ceased operationsDecember 5, 2005
Operating bases
Frequent-flyer programValue Miles
AllianceLíneas Aéreas Federales (2003-2005)
Fleet size14
Destinations19
HeadquartersCórdoba, Argentina
Key peopleJuan Maggio (President and founder)
Websitewww.fly-sw.com

Southern Winds Airlines (also known as SW Airlines) was an Argentine commercial air carrier that operated from 1996 until 2005. Southern Winds was founded by Juan Maggio, who served as president of the company.

History

Initially a domestic carrier, Southern Winds began offering connections to international flights in 1997. The airline's own international operations were authorized by the Argentine Government in 2001. At its peak, Southern Winds operated an extensive domestic network, international flights within the South American region, and intercontinental services from Buenos Aires to Miami and Madrid; and charter destinations like Florianopolis, Porto Seguro, Camboriu, Tacna and Punta Cana. Hubs were maintained in Córdoba (from 1996) and Buenos Aires (from 1999).

Southern Winds' fleet was composed initially by Bombardier and later the Boeing passenger planes.

Though the company was founded as a passenger carrier, cargo transport services began in 2000 under the brand name SW Cargo. In 2003, an alliance was struck between Southern Winds and the Argentine-state owned Líneas Aéreas Federales (LAFSA) that involved utilization by LAFSA of Southern Winds' flight infrastructure.[1]

By 2004, Southern Winds was a leading commercial carrier in the troubled Argentine aviation industry. That September, however, airport police in Madrid discovered 60 kilograms (130 lb) of cocaine packed in four unaccompanied suitcases aboard an arriving Southern Winds flight. The resulting scandal cost the airline its government subsidy, and ultimately resulted in the carrier's collapse.

The last flight was operated on December 5, 2005, although several proposals for the airline's revival continued to surface by 2006.

Destinations

A Southern Winds De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in 2000

Fleet

A Southern Winds Boeing 737-200 taking off from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery in 2004

Southern Winds operated the following aircraft during its operations:[2][3]

Southern Winds fleet
Aircraft Total Introduced Retired Notes
Beechcraft 300 Super King 1 1996 2005
Boeing 737-200 9 2002 2005
Boeing 747-200B 1 2004 2005
Boeing 767-300ER 3 2002 2005 Leased from Air Atlanta Icelandic and EuroAtlantic Airways
Bombardier CRJ-100 6 1996 2003
Bombardier CRJ-200 3 1996 2003
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 6 1998 2003

See also

References

  1. ↑ Luis Zalamea. "Southern Winds, LAFSA Sign Agreement In Argentina". Aviationweek.com. Retrieved September 5, 2003.
  2. ↑ "Southern Winds Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Southern Winds fleet". aerobernie.bplaced.net. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  1. ^ "Fly-SW.com". Archived from the original on August 3, 2005. Retrieved August 21, 2005. Site launched in 2003. Inactive end of 2005.
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