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Airlines in Chile Inspiring Startups Analysis

Inspiring Startups

Based on the analysis of the Chilean airline industry value chain and the available information from 2024 and 2025, several startups are inspiring changes and introducing new business models, either directly within the airline operations or in related areas that impact the value chain. While major market players like SKY Airline and JetSMART themselves act as disruptors through their low-cost models, specific startups are contributing to innovation across different stages of the value chain.

Key inspiring startups and their contributions include:

  • INERATEC: This German startup, with investment from the Chilean company Copec, is focused on developing technology for sustainable fuels using hydrogen and captured CO2. This innovation directly addresses the critical need for decarbonization in the aviation industry, impacting the Aircraft Acquisition & Maintenance (future fuel compatibility) and Flight Operations (fuel sourcing and environmental impact) stages of the value chain. The ability to produce sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) locally or regionally could reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels and help airlines meet environmental targets.

  • Flapper: Operating in the executive aviation sector on demand, Flapper's model of offering on-demand flights and exploring shared aircraft ownership programs is notable. While different from commercial passenger airlines, this approach inspires changes in the traditional Aircraft Acquisition & Maintenance (alternative ownership models) and Network Planning & Scheduling (flexible, on-demand service concepts) stages. It suggests potential future models for accessing aircraft capacity or serving specific routes with greater flexibility, which could eventually influence aspects of the broader airline value chain.

  • VIPER: This Chilean startup provides a software system for emergency management and operational continuity. Their alliance with JetSMART demonstrates a direct impact on the airline value chain. The VIPER MASS system aims to optimize coordination and communication during contingencies, directly affecting Passenger & Cargo Handling (improving response at airports) and Flight Operations (enhancing communication and coordination). This inspires change by improving operational resilience and potentially enhancing passenger experience during disruptions.

  • NotCo: A Chilean food tech startup known for its plant-based food alternatives, NotCo has partnered with LATAM Airlines to offer its products on domestic flights. This collaboration inspires change in the Ancillary Services stage by introducing innovative and sustainable (plant-based) options for onboard catering. It caters to evolving passenger preferences for diverse and sustainable food choices and can enhance the airline's brand image.

Beyond these, other technology startups, while not exclusively focused on aviation, offer solutions with potential to inspire changes:

  • SimpliRoute: This Chilean logitech startup utilizes AI for route optimization in ground transportation. While their primary focus is not air travel, their expertise in AI-driven optimization could inspire or be applied to aspects of the airline value chain such as optimizing ground logistics for cargo or crew transport, or potentially influencing algorithms used in Network Planning & Scheduling.

  • AITAS: Another Chilean startup, AITAS develops autonomous virtual robots for process automation. Their technology, applicable across various industries, could inspire changes in automating repetitive administrative tasks within different value chain stages, such as in Marketing & Sales (data processing, customer inquiries) or Passenger & Cargo Handling (administrative support), potentially leading to cost reductions and increased efficiency.

These startups, through their specific technologies or business models, are pushing the boundaries of traditional airline operations, addressing key trends like sustainability, operational efficiency, and evolving customer expectations.

Table of Potential Impact of the Startups

Startup Value Chain Stages Potentially Impacted Potential Impact on the Value Chain Analysis
INERATEC Aircraft Acquisition & Maintenance, Flight Operations Enables adoption of sustainable aviation fuels, potentially influencing fleet investment decisions towards compatible aircraft and changing fuel procurement and management practices to be more environmentally focused.
Flapper Aircraft Acquisition & Maintenance, Network Planning & Scheduling Inspires alternative models for accessing aircraft capacity (e.g., fractional ownership, on-demand leasing) and developing flexible network strategies beyond traditional scheduled services.
VIPER Passenger & Cargo Handling, Flight Operations Improves operational resilience and efficiency during disruptions through better communication and coordination, potentially reducing costs associated with delays and enhancing passenger satisfaction during irregular operations.
NotCo Ancillary Services, Marketing & Sales Introduces innovative and sustainable onboard product offerings, catering to changing passenger preferences and enhancing brand image through alignment with health and environmental trends.
SimpliRoute Network Planning & Scheduling, Passenger & Cargo Handling Offers potential for applying advanced AI-driven optimization algorithms to airline route planning or ground logistics related to air operations, potentially improving efficiency and reducing costs.
AITAS Multiple administrative functions (e.g., Marketing & Sales, Passenger & Cargo Handling) Enables automation of repetitive administrative tasks across various value chain stages, potentially leading to significant cost savings and allowing personnel to focus on higher-value activities.

References

  • Copec invierte en startup para potenciar combustibles sostenibles. (2024, January 26).
  • Descubre.vc. (n.d.).
  • las mejores startups de comercio online y transporte de 2024 - Lista Emprendedores. (2024, December 12).
  • Startup chilena VIPER aterriza en la industria aérea con su sistema de gestión. (2025, April 28).
  • Firma chilena de servicios industriales cerró 2024 con ventas por US$ 19 millones en eeuu. (2025, February 3).
  • Senator International CHILE se fusiona con OnBoard Logistics y proyecta duplicar sus ingresos en 2025 - Portal Innova. (2024, November 7).
  • LATAM x NotCo: ¿Se "vienen cositas" entre la aerolínea y la startup? - Chócale. (n.d.).
  • Abierta convocatoria para acelerar Startups con BerriUp - El Ecosistema Startup. (2025, April 20).
  • Desafío Avante 04 en busca de startups para desarrollar soluciones tecnológicas en el área de la construcción naval - Portal Innova. (2024, December 27).
  • Revolucionando el 2025: Predicciones Tecnológicas Clave para un Mundo en Transformación - trendTIC. (2024, December 3).
  • Misión comercial sueca visitó Chile para potenciar inversiones en electromovilidad e infraestructura - EntrepreNerd. (2025, April 24).
  • defensa.com Chile. (n.d.).
  • Economía.- Latam Airlines comienza a operar aviones con cabinas Premium Business, con una inversión de 316 millones - Bolsamania. (2025, May 7).
  • Alianza entre Latam y NotCo: vuelos nacionales de la aerolínea ofrecerán productos de la startup chilena - Forbes Chile. (2024, April 9).
  • Informe de Gestión Integrado 2024 - Moeve. (2025, February 24).
  • Antena Electrónicamente Orientable (ESA) de Hughes mejorará experiencia de los usuarios a bordo - Portal Innova. (2024, December 14).
  • Chile no es sólo materias primas: exportaciones de servicios alcanzan nuevo récord en el primer trimestre - EntrepreNerd. (2024, April 11).
  • Milton Vargas - FIDAE. (n.d.).
  • Latam Airlines comienza a operar aeronaves con cabinas Premium Business, invirtiendo US$ 360 millones | AméricaEconomía. (2025, May 7).
  • Desafío Avante 04 busca startups para desarrollar soluciones tecnológicas en construcción naval - AQUA. (2025, January 17).
  • Revista Logistec. (n.d.).
  • SimpliRoute elige a São Paulo como base estratégica para ingresar al mercado brasileño. (2024, May 6).
  • FIDAE 2026, patrocinador del Dual Hub Summit, el primer encuentro de innovación dual en Chile - TallyHo. (2025, May 7).
  • Startups de IA 2024: Pioneras en Automatización y Aprendizaje - El Ecosistema Startup. (2025, April 25).
  • Aerosan se prepara para nueva temporada de la fruta - Diario Financiero. (2024, August 16).
  • La apuesta del sector aeronáutico por la aviación sostenible con hidrógeno y electricidad. (n.d.).
  • fidae organiza jornadas relativas a la industria, la academia y la innovación. (n.d.).
  • Startup “Beeok” gana importante reconocimiento en Chile por su software sostenible. (n.d.).
  • Startup AITAS crea robot único en Chile que ha generado ahorros de USD 250 mil para empresas - Portal Innova. (2025, April 10).
  • FIDAE 2026, patrocinador del Dual Hub Summit en Chile - Noticias Defensa defensa.com Chile. (2025, May 8).
  • Dual Hub Summit 2025: Chile acoge el primer encuentro de innovación dual, civil-militar, de Latinoamérica - Defensa.com. (2025, May 5).
  • La Armada de Chile entra en modo startup - Diario Financiero. (2025, March 10).
  • El movido 2025 de Abra: sacar a Gol del Capítulo 11, fusionarla con Azul y concretar el paso siguiente con Sky | Diario Financiero. (2025, February 14).
  • incMTY Festival- El festival de innovación más influyente de Latam. (n.d.).