Southern Winds
Encyclopedia
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. In 2002, Mr. Maggio was recognized by the Asociación Latinoamericana de Aeronáutica for his contributions to Latin American aviation.
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 continent, 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 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 (132.3 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.
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
commercial air carrier that operated from 1996 until 2005. Southern Winds was founded by Juan Maggio, who served as president of the company. In 2002, Mr. Maggio was recognized by the Asociación Latinoamericana de Aeronáutica for his contributions to Latin American aviation.
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
Politics of Argentina
The politics of Argentina take place in the framework of what the Constitution defines as a federal presidential representative democratic Republic, where the President of Argentina is both Head of State and Head of Government. Legislative power is vested in both the President and the two chambers...
in 2001. At its peak, Southern Winds operated an extensive domestic network, international flights within the South American continent, and intercontinental services from Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
to Miami and Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
; and charter destinations like Florianopolis, Porto Seguro, Camboriu, Tacna and Punta Cana. Hubs were maintained in Córdoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
(from 1996) and Buenos Aires (from 1999). 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 (132.3 lb) of cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
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.