Antarctica is consolidating as the new business horizon for Tierra del Fuego companies. At a time when Nicky Caputo's Mirgor Group appeared to be the only company in Antarctic tourism and logistics, the local company Volar SA, known as HeliUshuaia, has taken a firm step by announcing the acquisition of an eight-seat Beechcraft B200 Super King Air twin-engine aircraft to begin flights from Ushuaia to the Petrel Base and, alternatively, to Marambio .

Strategic Investment and Cutting-Edge Technology

Osvaldo Mella, owner of HeliUshuaia , confirmed the purchase of the aircraft, highlighting that the Beechcraft B200 is a piece of equipment recognized for its safety and reliability worldwide, widely used in operations on unprepared runways and in demanding environments.

The B200 is currently undergoing a major overhaul in Santiago, Chile, which includes new engines, state-of-the-art propellers, and a modern navigation system . This investment, which seeks to optimize range and flight safety, was partially supported by the Tierra del Fuego Fund for the Expansion of the Productive Matrix (FAMP) , a key support that allowed the company to access cutting-edge technology. The aircraft, already inspected by ANAC in Chile, is expected to land in Tierra del Fuego in about 15 days to begin pilot training .

The aircraft is capable of landing on both dirt and asphalt runways , making it ideal for internal provincial connectivity (such as Tolhuin) and, crucially, for Antarctic runways like Petrel , where the Navy already operates a similar model. Mella anticipates that the flight time from Ushuaia to Marambio would be just two hours and fifteen minutes, with enough time to fly there and back without incident .

The Legacy of a Pioneer and a New Political Approach

The HeliUshuaia initiative is no coincidence; Mella recalled the vision of Oscar Valls, owner of Kaiken Líneas Aéreas SA. Valls was a true pioneer who, between 1994 and 1995, acquired two De Havilland Dash 7 aircraft with the goal of carrying out Antarctic operations with Petrel, a project that did not prosper at the time due to the ineffectiveness of the Tierra del Fuego authorities and the obstacles posed by the Carlos Menem government . Today, 18 years after its founding and with a fleet that includes six helicopters (one for rescues) and a Lear Jet dedicated to transport, HeliUshuaia has taken up that mantle .

The businessman sees a "change in philosophy" among national authorities that could unlock the historic "political decision" necessary for Antarctic connectivity, which is under the jurisdiction of the National Antarctic Directorate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . Mella already has the approval and support of the National Antarctic Directorate and the Antarctic Command , and highlights the contrast with neighboring countries: "If we look at our Chilean colleagues, DAP has 200 flights per season and significant tourism development."

More than Tourism: Air Taxi, Logistics and Rescue

Although HeliUshuaia is primarily dedicated to helicopter tourism (which supports the province's entire rescue structure and system with zero pesos for the State), the new B200 will serve as an air taxi and is being studied for adaptation for highly complex medical evacuations and humanitarian transfers, a requirement raised by many companies.

With 16 families directly employed and an established helicopter school , the Tierra del Fuego company, which also received support from the Fin.No.va Foundation (chaired by Dr. Carlos Sánchez Posleman, owner of the San Jorge Sanatorium), focuses on professional development and training, inviting the political class to support it with less bureaucracy and more foresight. The ultimate goal is integration with Chile and regional development, moving away from navel-gazing and prioritizing collaborative work.