Bolivian minister confirms state airline 'destroyed' but rules out privatization

Bolivian Minister of Public Works Mauricio Zamora faced the Legislative Assembly to address 30 questions regarding the state airline Boliviana de Aviación (BoA). Zamora acknowledged the airline is "destroyed" but firmly stated it would not be privatized. He presented detailed data, comparative charts, and institutional reports to answer the legislators' queries about tariffs and service quality, emphasizing transparency.

Zamora expressed willingness to engage further with the Assembly, stating, "I am happy to be here, I don't think it will be the first interpellation because it is the work they have to do as overseers; we will be here, we want to work with you." His appearance followed the censure of Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza, highlighting a period of intense legislative scrutiny. Zamora attributed BoA's critical condition to "lies" during previous Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) administrations, which allegedly led to a deficient service and a forced monopoly.

To revitalize BoA, Zamora proposed transforming it into a joint-stock company through a public-private alliance. The goal is to move away from the current monopoly and foster a profitable, efficient, and competitive airline. He also addressed concerns about ticket prices, explaining that recent adjustments align with inflation and economic reality, and assured that BoA's fares do not exceed the maximums set by the Authority of Regulation and Fiscalization of Telecommunications and Transport (ATT). He noted that perceived price increases might be due to indirect routes becoming necessary when direct flights are unavailable.