SKY Airline Set to Join Abra Group in Major South American Deal
Abra Group announced on November 10 that it has reached an agreement in principle for Chilean low-cost carrier SKY Airline to join its growing aviation portfolio, which already includes Avianca, GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, Wamos Air, and NG Servicios Aéreos. The move represents one of the region’s most significant consolidation steps and is subject to regulatory approval in Chile and other jurisdictions.
Once finalized, Abra Group will assume consolidated ownership of SKY, while the Paulmann Mast family—currently the airline’s majority shareholders—will take minority stakes in Abra. According to the group, SKY will retain its brand identity, company culture, and existing leadership structure. Executive president Holger Paulmann will remain chairman of the airline’s board, ensuring continuity as the carrier transitions into the new holding.
Abra Group has pursued SKY for several months as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its footprint across South America. CFO Manuel Irarrazaval recently told ch-aviation that the opportunity aligned with the group’s long-term consolidation goals and that the decision ultimately rested with SKY’s management. “Bringing SKY into the group will allow us to continue strengthening the region’s air market,” added Adrian Neuhauser, CEO of Abra Group.
The group also holds an option to convert part of SKY’s pandemic-era financing into a 40% equity stake, though financial specifics of the new agreement were not disclosed.
SKY Airline and SKY Airline Perú collectively operate a fleet of thirty-six Airbus aircraft, including twenty-nine A320neo and seven A321neo jets, with ten A321XLRs on order.
Across its portfolio, Abra controls one of Latin America’s largest and most diverse fleets. Avianca and its subsidiaries operate A319s, A320ceo and A320neo aircraft, A330 freighters, Wamos-leased A330-300s, and Boeing 787-8s. GOL fields an all-Boeing fleet of 737-700s, 737-800s, 737-8s and 737-800BCFs. Wamos operates A330-200s and A330-300s for ACMI services, while NG Servicios Aéreos uses a single 737-800 for certification.
To support future growth, Abra Group has outstanding orders for 150 Airbus A320neo family jets, five A350-900s, twenty-five Boeing 737-10s, and fifty 737-8s, along with agreements to dry-lease up to seven A330-900neos. The Airbus narrowbodies will be allocated to Avianca, while GOL will receive the Boeing jets; widebody assignments remain under evaluation.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com