Bolivian State Airline BoA Faces Fleet Shortages Amid Minister's Defense of New Manager

Bolivia's Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora defended the appointment of Estanislao Finfera as the new general manager of the state airline Boliviana de Aviación (BoA). Zamora highlighted Finfera's more than 40 years of experience in civil and military aviation, noting there are no pending legal processes against him and urging the public to let him work.

Finfera disclosed that BoA operates with a severely reduced fleet: out of an estimated 15‑17 aircraft, only about ten are airworthy. He described a Boeing 767 parked at Viru Viru International Airport as "completely dismantled" and termed it a case of "aircraft cannibalism." Another aircraft leased by BoA has been in a Mexican maintenance facility for over a year, yet the airline continues paying the lease. The limited operable fleet has led to flight delays and cancellations. Finfera said a comprehensive diagnostic report will be presented in the first half of August to identify operational, financial and administrative failures and propose corrective measures.