Southern Winds Airlines

Southern Winds Airlines (or 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.

Southern Winds Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
A4 SWD SW
Founded1996
Commenced operations1996
Ceased operations2005
Operating basesCórdoba
Jorge Newbery
Ezeiza
Frequent-flyer programValue Miles
Websitewww.fly-sw.com

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).

Boeing 737-200 taking off from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, 2004

Southern Winds' fleet was composed initially by Bombardier CRJ-100/200, DeHavilland Canada DHC-8-100 and later Boeing 737, 747 and 767 passenger planes.

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

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 Southern Winds flight operated on December 5, 2005, although proposals for the airline's revival continued to surface in 2006.

Fleet

Former Fleet
  • Beechcraft 300 Super King
  • Boeing 737-200
  • Boeing 747-300
  • Boeing 767-200
  • Bombardier CRJ-100
  • Bombardier CRJ-200
  • Bombardier Dash 8-Q200
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See also
  • List of defunct airlines of South America

References
  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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