Aeracara

Aeracara

IATA ICAO Callsign AC ACA CARA
Founded	1 July 1970
Hubs	Montecara–Enrico Dulio International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Aeracara Élite
Alliance	UnitéCéleste
Subsidiaries	Aeracara Cargo Presto
Fleet size	157
Destinations	76
Company slogan	Volare altòr ("Fly Higher")
Traded as	BMM: AERA
Headquarters	Montecara–Enrico Dulio International Airport, Montecara
Key people	Giudìta Vala, CEO
Revenue	Ł74,817 million (2017)
Profit	Ł218 million (2017)
Website	aeracara.co.mc

Aeracara (AC or ACA) is the flag carrier of the city-state of Montecara. It operates flights to destinations across the world from its hub at Montecara–Enrico Dulio International Airport. Aeracara is one of the top three carriers in terms of passenger kilometers traveled and a top-ten carrier in terms of passengers carried. It is consistently ranked as one of the world's top airlines for customer satisfaction and markets itself as providing the highest standard of service in the industry, with a particular emphasis on the business and premium traveler market. The airline's slogan, Volare altòr ("Fly Higher"), alludes to its premium branding.

The parent company, Aeracara s.a.i., owns the airline as well as two subsidiary companies: Presto, a low-cost carrier incorporated in Kesselbourg, and Aeracara Cargo, a freight operations company that handles the main airline's portfolio of cargo contracts and operates both cargo-hold capacity and dedicated equipment.

Aeracara has used the song “Co te partirò” (“I’ll go with you”) by Montecaran singer Andrà Boxèli in its marketing since 1998 and is strongly associated with the piece.

History

Aeracara was founded on 1 July 1970 after an act authorizing creation of the state-owned company was passed in 1969. The company was created to support the booming tourism industry which had been inaugurated with the introduction in the late 1960s of the first jumbo jets. Large sections of the Euclean middle class could suddenly afford to travel abroad, and the Montecaran government was eager to expand the country's already lucrative tourist trade. Operating an airline would both promote Montecara as a destination and, ideally, generate a profit. Aeracara took its first commercial flight on 8 May 1972 when a B747 flew 360 passengers from Montecara to Verlois.

In its early years, Aeracara heavily advertised to leisure tourists who were drawn to Montecara for its gambling and partying. The airline's 747s were all outfitted with a full bar and slot machines, and the (famously young and attractive) stewardesses served cigars and brandy. First-class passengers enjoyed meals that included a caviar service and vintage champagne.

Logo of the UnitéCéleste alliance

While the modern air travel market has required all carriers to economize, Aeracara still markets itself on differentiation from other airlines. Service is a particular focus. Flight attendants all take an introductory 16-week course and must retrain for at least two weeks per year. Cabin crew are rarely hired from other airlines, as management believes that it is easier to train crew properly from the start than it is to break bad habits. The airline consequently recruits globally for young people who have strong language skills.

Aeracara has been a member of the UnitéCéleste airline alliance since 2001.

Services

Aeracara offers five classes of service: Private, First, Second, Third Plus, and Third. Not all classes are offered on all flights. All Aeracara flights are non-smoking. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided for free to all classes on all flights, with full meals on flights lasting longer than two hours. All aircraft are equipped with individual entertainment systems in at least Second class and above, allowing passengers to choose their own music, movies, and games. In-flight wifi is available across the fleet.

Private

The bedroom in a Private class suite

Private class (clàse Privàt) is, according to Aeracara, "the finest flying experience anywhere." It is only offered on long-haul routes operating the A380 double-deck airliner, each of which operated by Aeracara is equipped with only one Private class suite, which can accommodate up to six travelers. The experience is designed to be superior to travel on a private aircraft in terms of luxury and to offer an equal standard of privacy. Travelers are picked up at a location of their choice in a luxury car and driven directly to the airport, where they are escorted by Aeracara employees through a private security screening and, if necessary, customs and immigration check, and have their luggage handled by porters. They have sole access to a private boarding lounge, which offers luxury hotel-quality amenities such as complimentary food and drink and concierge service. Private guests board the aircraft directly from the lounge through a dedicated jet bridge, never coming into contact with other passengers.

On board, Private guests enjoy a suite of rooms that includes a bedroom, dining room with dedicated galley, full bath, and lounge. The bedroom is located on the upper deck directly above the cockpit and offers panoramic views to the front and sides. The lounge can be configured prior to boarding to meet each traveler's needs, for example by adding a customizable office suite with a personal assistant or private bar with an on-duty bartender. Private suites are served by a dedicated butler and service staff.

At their final destination, travelers exit the aircraft via dedicated jet bridge and are offered lounge service before being driven to their final destination via private luxury car. Prices start at around €50,000 for a round-trip ticket.

First

The First-class bar on a long-haul flight

First class (clàse Prima) is available on all long-haul and medium-haul routes, as well as some short-haul services. Aeracara prides itself on offering the finest first-class service in the industry, with impeccable service from arrival at the departure airport to travelers' final destination. First-class passengers have access to the Vìla Aeracara lounge at their points of departure and arrival, berths with lie-flat seats, and complimentary chef-quality food and drink en route. The baggage allowance is four, either checked, carry-on, or a combination.

An in-flight second-class dinner menu from 2019

Second

Second class on a long-haul flight

Second class (clàse Secónd) is available on all flights. Second-class travelers enjoy spacious seating and complimentary premium food and drink. Second-class seats come equipped with power ports and a personal entertainment system, and on long-haul flights are configured as semi-private berths with lie-flat beds and privacy partitions. The baggage allowance is two, either checked, carry-on, or a combination.

Third Plus

Third Plus (clàse Tèrço Più) offers flyers additional legroom and priority boarding. Its availability varies according to the equipment flown.

Third

Third class (clàse Tèrço) is positioned as one of the best economy products in the aviation industry. Complimentary food and non-alcoholic drinks are provided on all flights, along with a snack on short-haul routes and at least one full meal, with choice of entrée, on flights lasting longer than three hours. Travelers may choose to either check or carry on a first bag for free. Long-haul aircraft are equipped with personal entertainment systems in Third class cabins.

Loyalty program

Aeracara's frequent-flyer program is Aeracara Élite. It is free to sign up, and travelers earn points on all journeys (except for award travel), as well as for various other purchases such as those made with a Bànca Ultramarìn branded credit card. Points earned are multiplied based on the following scale:

• Private/First class: 200% of kilometers traveled
• Second: 120%
• Third/Third Plus: 100%

Travelers meeting certain travel and spending criteria are enrolled in a status tier. Both the points and spending criteria must be met in a qualifying 18-month period to achieve status. The tiers are Élite arxènt (Elite Silver), Élite oro (Elite Gold), and Élite briliànt (Elite Diamond).

Aeracara Élite status tiers

	Élite arxènt	Élite oro	Élite briliànt
Qualifying points	25,000	50,000	100,000
Qualifying spending	Ł5,000	Ł15,000	Ł50,000
Dedicated service hotline	Yes	Yes	Yes
Priority check-in	Second	Second	First
Priority security	Second	Second	First
Priority boarding	Yes, after Second	Yes, with Second	Yes, with First
Seat selection	Yes, in Third	Yes, free upgrade to Third Plus	Yes, free upgrade to Third Plus and priority selection
Advance booking		Third guaranteed with 72 hours' notice	Second or third guaranteed with 24 hours' notice
Priority waitlist		Yes	Yes, additional priority
Extra baggage		1 extra checked or carry-on	2 extra checked or carry-on
Priority baggage handling		Yes	Yes, additional priority
Lounge access		Vìla Aeracara access available for purchase	Vìla Aeracara and partner lounges + 1 companion
Rescheduling fees		50% discount	Waived
Upgrades		Automatically requested to Second	Automatically requested to First, then Second

There is one status tier above Élite briliànt: Élite invitàda (Elite Invited). As the name implies, it is an invitation-only tier intended for Aeracara's highest-value customers. Very little about the program is publicly disclosed, but it is believed that, in addition to all the privileges of lower tiers, flyers are provided many of the benefits of Private-class travel, including private car service to and from the airport, private check-in, security, and boarding, and private lounge access.

Lounge

The reception desk at the lounge in Jindao

Seating at the lounge in Keisi

The airline operates its Vila Aeracara branded lounges at the following airports:

• Montecara
• Keisi
• Morwall
• Jindao
• Solaria
• Tyrrenhus
• Verlois

Vila Aeracara lounges are accessible to qualifying travelers before and after their flight. All locations are equipped with a full bar, chef-catered buffet and seated restaurant. First class lounges additionally have massage rooms, conference rooms and communications facilities, a smoking room, and private bath and nap suites. The flagship lounge at Montecara–Enrico Dulio also has a gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, and full-service spa. All locations have curated libraries; fliers are encouraged to bring books with them on their flight, as the airline will return them at journey's end.

Entry to lounges is limited to First class passengers and Élite brilànt members and qualifying companions traveling on that day only; Second-class passengers and Élite oro members and qualifying companions may purchase lounge access on the day of travel. Qualifying passengers have access to partner lounges with other airlines in the UnitéCéleste alliance.

Destinations

Aeracara routes as of 1 January 2023.
✦ Vila Aeracara lounge location

Hub

Fleet

Aeracara operates a fleet of approximately 150 narrow- and wide-body aircraft. The average age of the fleet is 70 months, less than half the global average for a full-service airline. Company management argues that a younger fleet justifies acquisition costs by having better fuel efficiency, requiring less maintenance (and therefore allowing more flying time), and providing a better customer experience. Older equipment is sold, leased out, or converted to cargo duty.

As of 1 January 2023, Aeracara operates the following aircraft:

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passengers						Notes
			P	F	J	W	Y	Total
A350-900	45	6	—	—	42	24	187	253
			—	—	40	—	263	303
A380-800	22	—	4	—	80	44	343	471	The only aircraft with Private Class service.
			—	14	76	56	338	484
B737-800	30	—	—	—	12	—	150	162
B777-300ER	60	—	—	8	42	—	310	360
B787-9	—	12	TBA						To be delivered beginning in 2025.
Total	157	18

Accidents and incidents

• 24 March 1973 – A B747 overran runway 01R at Montecara–Enrico Dulio International Airport after descending at excessive speed. The aircraft came to a stop partially in shallow waters. All passengers and crew were evacuated, with twelve passengers suffering minor injuries.
• 22 January 1976 – A MDD9 collided with a two-seat C150 Junior on approach to Verlois-Fayolle Giraud International Airport. The C150 crashed, killing both pilots, while the MDD9 was able to land safely with no injuries to passengers or crew.
• 17 October 1988 – A B727 was struck on the runway at Tosei International Airport by a departing Pan-Senrian Airlines MDD9. All 42 people on the Senrian MDD9 were killed, as were 51 (50 passengers, one crew member) of the 93 on board the Aeracara B727. This was the first fatal accident and first hull loss for Aeracara.
• 2 January 1994 – A B737 suffered a landing gear failure on takeoff from Dunas International Airport in Orlavo, Vinalia. It rolled off the runway and crashed, resulting in several injuries but no fatalities. The aircraft is written off.
• 3 September 2016 – A B777 suffered a contained engine failure shortly after takeoff from Wottested-Yndyk International Airport. Falling debris damaged several structures and vehicles on the ground. The crew returned the aircraft safely to Yndyk. The incident resulted in no injuries.