Bolivian entrepreneur plans new airline, Cruzair, for 2027 launch

Bolivian entrepreneur Humberto Roca is preparing to re-enter the aviation business with Cruzair, a new airline he aims to launch in 2027. The company is currently in the second stage of its certification process, with a target operational window between February and April of that year, contingent on aircraft delivery. Cruzair plans to commence operations with three Airbus A320 aircraft, each configured to carry 170 passengers. Initial routes will connect La Paz, Cochabamba, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Iquique, and Asuncion, with daily frequencies planned for most destinations. The airline's base will be in Santa Cruz, with ambitions to expand its fleet and routes in the future. Launching an airline of this scale requires a significant investment, estimated between $15 million and $20 million. Roca anticipates creating approximately 470 jobs by the end of 2027, encompassing pilots and other professionals. The initial fleet will consist of mid-life aircraft acquired through leasing agreements, a strategy Roca favors to avoid immobilizing capital in assets. Roca analyzes the Bolivian market, which he estimates handles around 4.5 million passengers annually. He suggests that while one airline could serve this demand, competition from two would be healthy, and a third would be the absolute maximum before profitability becomes an issue. He clarifies that Cruzair is not intended to compete directly with the state-owned BoA but rather to complement existing services, particularly on international routes. Despite aiming for affordable fares, Roca rejects the "low cost" label, calling it "the great lie of aviation." He argues that many low-cost carriers have failed due to their reliance on constant growth. Instead, Cruzair will focus on operational efficiency and a different business model to offer genuinely cheap tickets without the inherent risks of the low-cost structure.

“

Two airlines could function well; at maximum, three.