Flybondi resumes flights with two planes amid safety concerns and financial crisis

After more than two weeks without departures, Argentine low‑cost carrier Flybondi has begun a gradual restart using only two aircraft. The move was sharply criticised by the pilots’ union APLA, which warned that the airline is operating in "extremely precarious" conditions that jeopardise passenger safety and described its business model as a "Ponzi scheme".

Flybondi, owned by libertarian businessman Leonardo Scatturice since June 2025, is also confronting internal audit findings of fund misappropriations, irregular contracts and alleged fraud by the previous management. The airline has cancelled over 20 % of its scheduled flights, with more than a third of April’s programmes suspended, leaving thousands of passengers facing rebookings, delays and refund disputes. Heavy debts to ground‑handling firms, fuel suppliers and maintenance providers have pushed the carrier toward bankruptcy.

The new management has launched an investigation into the prior administration and advises passengers to verify flight status before traveling, as the recovery is expected to be slow.