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Amaszonas Uruguay (IATA: Z7) was the flag carrier airline of Uruguay from 2015 until 2021, operating regional passenger and cargo services from its hubs at Montevideo Carrasco International Airport and Punta del Este Laguna del Sauce International Airport. The airline was certified for cargo transport in July 2020, enabling it to carry approximately 7,500 kg of cargo between passenger cabin and belly hold to destinations across South America.
Key historical facts about Amaszonas Uruguay and its role in Uruguay's aviation market.
Amaszonas Uruguay representation in mainland China.
Address: Dr. Héctor Miranda N° 2421, Montevideo, Uruguay
Alternate Address: Rio Negro 1337, 1er piso Of., Montevideo, Uruguay
Phone: +598 2 710 2200 / +598 2 902 5298
Email: info@amaszonas.com
Hours: Mon–Fri 9:00–17:30
Phone: 2710.22.00
Website (historical): www.amaszonas.com
Note: These contact details are provided for historical reference. The airline is no longer operational.
Punta del Este (PDP): Tel: 2902 5298
Primary Hub: Montevideo Carrasco International Airport (MVD)
Focus City: Punta del Este Laguna del Sauce (PDP)
Note: For current China–Uruguay cargo requirements, please contact Goodhope Freight.
Amaszonas Uruguay operated a compact fleet of regional jets and turboprops suited to South American short and medium-haul routes. All cargo was carried in the belly hold and passenger cabin of passenger aircraft; no dedicated freighters were operated.
| Aircraft | Type | In service (final) | Registration | Capacity | Typical routes | Cargo note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embraer 190 | Regional jet | 1 | CX-IVO (msn 19000477) | 112 passengers; ~7,500 kg combined cargo (cabin + belly) | Montevideo – Buenos Aires, Montevideo – Asunción, Montevideo – Santiago, Montevideo – São Paulo | Primary aircraft for international routes; delivered December 2019; previously operated by China Southern Airlines as B-3147 |
| Bombardier CRJ200 | Regional jet | 2 | [To be confirmed] | 50 passengers | Montevideo – Buenos Aires, Punta del Este – Rosario, Punta del Este – Buenos Aires | Primary aircraft for high-frequency regional shuttle routes |
| Bombardier CRJ100LR (historical) | Regional jet | Retired | [To be confirmed] | 50 passengers | Regional South America | Operated 2016–2020 |
| ATR 72 / Dash 8 (historical) | Turboprop | Retired | [To be confirmed] | [To be confirmed] | Regional routes inherited from BQB Líneas Aéreas | ATR aircraft inherited from BQB; Dash 8-100 and two Dash 8-200s operated at various points |
* As of January 2021, Amaszonas Uruguay's fleet consisted of 1× Embraer 190 and 2× Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. The airline's cargo certification in July 2020 authorised it to carry approximately 7,500 kg of cargo between passenger cabin and belly hold to destinations across South America, with priority given to medicines and medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amaszonas Uruguay did not operate direct services to or from China.
For historical reference, Amaszonas Uruguay's regional network included the following key destinations:
| Route | Aircraft | Frequency | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) | CRJ200 / E190 | 2× daily (Air Bridge) | Historical — core route |
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ Asunción (ASU) | CRJ200 / E190 | Daily | Historical |
| Punta del Este (PDP) ⇄ Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) | CRJ200 | 2× daily | Historical since Dec 2016 |
| Punta del Este (PDP) ⇄ Rosario (ROS) | CRJ200 | Regular | Historical |
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ Santiago (SCL) | E190 | Regular | Historical |
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ São Paulo (GRU) | E190 | Weekly (Saturdays) | Historical — Aug 2020 |
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ Santa Cruz (VVI), Bolivia | E190 | Regular | Historical |
| Montevideo (MVD) ⇄ Lima (LIM), Peru | E190 | Regular | Historical |
Amaszonas Uruguay operated daily flights between Montevideo and Buenos Aires (the "Air Bridge"), Punta del Este and Asunción, as well as regular services to Santiago, São Paulo, Santa Cruz, Lima and other South American destinations. The airline announced the suspension of operations on 19 November 2020 and officially ceased all operations on 21 January 2021.
Amaszonas Uruguay was certified as a cargo transport operator in July 2020.
Authorised to transport cargo in passenger cabin and belly hold, approximately 7,500 kg to any South American destination.
Priority given to medicines and medical supplies during COVID-19 pandemic. The airline met with the Carrasco Airport Cargo Terminal and was in talks with Uruguayan exporters.
Developed a manual with specific cargo procedures, approved by Uruguay's civil aviation authority in compliance with international air transport regulations.
Amaszonas Uruguay also announced in August 2020 that it planned to initiate international cargo operations, as part of its strategy to continue operating under the prerogatives granted by its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) despite the cessation of passenger flights. However, the airline ultimately ceased all operations in January 2021 before these cargo operations could be fully developed.
Understanding Amaszonas Uruguay's role in Uruguay's aviation market.
Amaszonas Uruguay held a unique position in South American aviation as Uruguay's flag carrier and the country's only airline with Uruguayan flag during its operational period. The airline emerged in April 2015 when the Bolivian airline Línea Aérea Amaszonas reached an agreement with the Uruguayan company BQB Líneas Aéreas, obtaining the transfer of its permits and changing its name to Amaszonas Uruguay in exchange for maintaining 30 employees of the former airline. This acquisition prevented the closure of BQB Líneas Aéreas and established a new regional carrier focused on connecting Uruguay with major South American destinations.
Regional connectivity and the Montevideo–Buenos Aires Air Bridge. Amaszonas Uruguay's core route was the Montevideo–Buenos Aires Air Bridge, which it served with up to two daily flights using CRJ200 and Embraer E190 aircraft. The airline also operated daily flights from Punta del Este to Buenos Aires Aeroparque, and regular services connecting Montevideo with Asunción, Santiago, São Paulo, Santa Cruz and Lima. This network positioned Amaszonas Uruguay as a key regional connector in the Southern Cone, facilitating both passenger and cargo movement between Uruguay and its neighbours.
Cargo certification and COVID-19 response. In July 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amaszonas Uruguay received certification as a cargo transport operator, authorising it to carry cargo in both the passenger cabin and belly hold of its aircraft. The airline developed a comprehensive cargo manual with specific procedures for carrying cargo on board, approved by DINACIA in compliance with international air transport regulations. The certification enabled Amaszonas Uruguay to transport approximately 7,500 kg of cargo to any destination in South America, with priority given to medicines and medical supplies. The airline met with the Carrasco Airport Cargo Terminal and was in talks with Uruguayan exporters to develop its cargo business.
Challenges and cessation of operations. Despite the cargo certification and plans to initiate international cargo operations in August 2020, Amaszonas Uruguay faced significant challenges. The closure of free transit of foreigners and tourists by Uruguay, combined with low market demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, led the airline to announce the cessation of passenger flights on 19 November 2020 and initiate a "reinvention process". The airline informed that alternatives were analysed so that in the next three months it could operate in the field of cargo transportation and/or air work modalities. However, Amaszonas Uruguay officially ceased all operations on 21 January 2021.
For Chinese exporters and freight forwarders targeting Uruguay, Amaszonas Uruguay's history illustrates the importance of reliable regional partners for final-mile distribution in South America. While the airline is no longer operational, Goodhope Freight can arrange alternative routing through active carriers serving Uruguay and the Southern Cone, ensuring efficient delivery of China-origin cargo to Montevideo and beyond.
How Goodhope Freight can assist with China–Uruguay cargo requirements.