Embraer 190 Begins Historic Scheduled Services To World's Southernmost Airport

An Embraer E-Jet has started operations at the world’s most southerly airport to handle regular scheduled services.

Aerovías DAP of Chile is operating a wet-leased E190 from Greece’s Marathon Airlines on services from Santiago, the Chilean capital, to Puerto Williams, a few miles from Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America.

The aircraft is also operating into Punta Arenas, another remote destination in Patagonia, as part of what Marathon describes as a long-term agreement.

It is the first time that Athens-based Marathon has operated on the western side of the Atlantic.

The company’s E190 was positioned to Chile through a multi-stop transatlantic routing that included Naples, Italy; Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport, Iceland; Goose Bay, Canada; Nassau, Bahamas; Lima, Peru; and Santiago de Chile.

“Expanding our operations to South America is a defining moment for Marathon Airlines,” CEO Andreas Kaiafas said. “Our partnership with Aerovías DAP reflects both our commitment to operational excellence and our readiness to support challenging and diverse environments across the globe.”

Aerovías DAP is a regional carrier that focuses on Patagonia and is perhaps best known for flying into airstrips in Antarctica, usually with BAE Systems BAe146s and Avro RJ-85s or -100s. 

“Based on our current contract, we’ll support their scheduled services,” a Marathon spokesperson told Aviation Week.

Aerovías’ first flight in 1980 connected Punta Arenas with Puerto Williams, located on the northern shore of Navarino Island.

Puerto Williams gives access to an area that offers several ecotourism attractions.