Bolivia's BoA Eyes Fleet Renewal with Embraer and Leasing

Bolivia's state-owned airline Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) is facing an aging fleet problem, with its Boeing aircraft averaging over 21 years in age. BoA has a diverse fleet of 18 aircraft, but only 10 are currently active, while eight are parked.

The government is looking to Embraer as a possible supplier of at least 10 aircraft under a leasing agreement. Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora visited Embraer's facilities in São José dos Campos, Brazil, in July to discuss the fleet renewal. Zamora acknowledged that BoA does not have the financial capacity to purchase new aircraft and said leasing is the preferred option.

The E195-E2 model from Embraer is reportedly being considered for the lease agreement, as it closely matches the capacity of BoA's older Boeing 737s. The E195-E2 can accommodate around 130-146 passengers depending on configuration, which aligns with the seating capacity of BoA's Boeing 737-300 and -700 variants.

The Bolivian government is under pressure to address the condition of its fleet, as BoA has faced criticism over cancellations, delays, and maintenance problems. The airline was created by the Bolivian government in 2007 and remains state-owned, making decisions over aircraft purchases and leasing susceptible to changes in government priorities and public spending.