The aviation industry is a critical component of the global economy, providing a rapid and reliable means of transport for people and goods across vast distances. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade, promoting tourism, and nurturing economic growth. The industry’s importance has grown immensely with the rise of globalization, as it provides the necessary infrastructure for global supply chains and international business operations.
Within this growing sector that is filled with challenges and opportunities, individuals like Marina Montequin, Legal and Litigation Manager, have played pivotal roles in navigating its complexities and driving transformative change. Throughout her career journey, Marina has honed essential skills, recognizing the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and resilience in achieving sustainable success. Her background in navigating the complexities of highly regulated industries led her to a new path, where she found opportunities for growth and accomplishment.
The company that provided this new path is Aerolíneas Argentinas. As the leading airline in Argentina, the company’s mission to bridge distances and catalyze socio-economic development underscores its integral role in the nation’s progress. Through Marina’s visionary leadership, Aerolíneas Argentinas embraces technological advancements, innovations, and collaborative teamwork, which positions the company as a driving force in shaping the future of aviation in Argentina and beyond.
Discover the world of legal management in the aviation industry with Marina in our exclusive interview:
Brief our audience about your journey as a business leader until your current position. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you are today?
One valuable lesson I learned early in my career through experiences in both sizable and smaller law firms, as well as in the public sector, is the vital importance of being an effective, positive, and productive team player. While hard work is essential, it alone is not sufficient.
Other skills are equally—if not more—important: humility, to recognize one’s own limitations, appreciate the knowledge and wisdom of others, and develop a discerning view of one’s own ideas; flexibility, which allows for changing one’s stance after considering other perspectives without feeling as though conceding defeat; and resilience, the capacity to recover and learn from setbacks. Indeed, each mistake provides invaluable lessons, offering opportunities for growth rather than reasons for self-reproach.
In my early thirties, a personal crisis marked a pivotal moment in my life. After enduring a significant loss and a prolonged period of recovery, I made the difficult decision to leave a prestigious position at one of Argentina’s top law firms.
At that time, Aerolíneas Argentinas was also facing significant challenges. The company was close to bankruptcy, the fleet was outdated and inefficient, and operations were chaotic. The need to maintain robust air transport services in Argentina—a country with vast territorial expanses—compelled the government to take a controlling interest in the airline.
A former colleague serving as the Corporate Secretary recognized my background in navigating the intricacies of highly regulated industries and invited me to join the legal team. The challenges were daunting: limited resources, minimal opportunities for team expansion, an obsolete or non-existent IT infrastructure, and widespread skepticism towards the new leadership, perceived as inexperienced due to their youth.
Over the ensuing decade, which included enduring six changes in executive management, a comprehensive fleet renewal, the merger of two airlines within the Aerolíneas group, and a global pandemic described by the International Air Transport Association as the aviation industry’s worst crisis, our most significant accomplishment has been the creation of an extraordinary team. This achievement is not solely mine but is a testament to the inspiring leadership and supportive colleagues who have guided and supported me through every challenge.
Good fortune also played a part: I was lucky enough to encounter mentors and peers who provided inspiration, leadership by example, and unwavering support through every failure. This has been integral to my development as a leader in the legal and business communities.
Tell us something more about your company and its mission and vision. What strategies have you employed to ensure a smooth transition between generations while maintaining the company’s values and vision?
Aerolíneas Argentinas, the Republic of Argentina’s leading airline, has established a commanding presence over its 70-year history in the nation’s aviation sector. As the only airline serving all 23 provinces, it commands a dominant 69% share of domestic flights. Our mission is to bridge distances and catalyze socioeconomic development and integration across Argentina by positioning it as a premier destination for tourism, culture, and business.
The vision of Aerolíneas Argentinas is to be recognized for our efficient, transparent management, unwavering commitment to quality service, and adherence to the highest safety standards. Our core values encompass productivity, sustainability, resource optimization, and an unyielding dedication to inclusivity and respect for diversity.
Over the past decade, our company has navigated substantial transformations, including an ongoing generational shift in our workforce. In alignment with our core values, we foster a culture that celebrates respect, diversity, and the wealth of perspectives each generation contributes.
To facilitate generational cohesion and unity within our team, we prioritize transparency and open communication. These are not merely strategies, but principles that guide all our endeavors. One example is our regular forums, such as monthly and weekly meetings, where team members across generations exchange insights, skills, and perspectives.
Furthermore, technological innovation is pivotal in bolstering transparency. Our systems not only streamline legal support but also enhance the visibility of team efforts. Every team member can access their peers’ contributions, fostering an environment of continuous learning and expertise sharing.
Encouraging collaboration and teamwork across different generations is immensely beneficial. It not only bridges the generational gap but also brings diverse perspectives to the fore, fostering innovative problem-solving and creating a dynamic, cohesive team.
Enlighten us on the impact that you have made with your work through your expertise in the market.
I consider myself fortunate to have been part of Aerolíneas Argentinas during a transformative era of significant growth and opportunity. This allowed me to actively contribute to and lead the legal aspects of critical projects within the Argentinean aviation sector over the past decade.
The fleet renovation initiative was a major undertaking involving the deprogramming, sale, and redelivery of over 100 aircraft, including the MD 88, Boeing 737-500, 737-200, and Airbus 340 models. Concurrently, we acquired new aircraft such as the Embraer 190, Boeing 737-800, and Airbus 330, marking a significant step in the company’s modernization.
Then came the tough times. Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis demanded temperance and creativity. Amidst grounding most of our fleet, we undertook the repatriation of Argentines stranded abroad and organized special operations for vaccine transportation.
During this period, we seized the opportunity to realize a long-awaited goal: the merger of Aerolíneas Argentinas with its sister company, Austral Líneas Aéreas del Sur. This merger is a historic milestone for Aerolineas Argentinas, signifying a strategic move to navigate a complex market with a more dynamic and efficient structure.
Simultaneously, we dealt with the legal aspects of restructuring our main commercial and financial obligations in response to the economic turmoil caused by the pandemic.
The path to recovery was gradual but consistent. By 2023, traffic levels were almost back to normal, and we led a milestone transaction in Argentina, raising US$100 million under a financial trust global program. This transaction was unprecedented due to the trust assets assigned: future collection rights arising from online sales of domestic and international flight tickets in the country.
Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in almost every sector. How are you leveraging technological advancements to make your solutions resourceful?
Technological innovation is integral to our strategy for continuous improvement. We actively promote innovation and are continually exploring ways to refine our processes, empowering our team to concentrate on high-impact tasks.
Introducing cultural and structural transformations in a large organization, particularly with constrained resources, poses significant challenges. However, we often find that constraints fuel creativity. In partnership with our IT department, we have led the charge in technological advancements that enable us to provide efficient and timely legal counsel, as well as maintain an archive for past consultations. We have also developed a system that streamlines contract preparation and review, successfully digitized the company’s legal documents, and adopted digital signatures.
The use of digital tools and technologies has enabled us to produce valuable statistics that are shared across different departments to enhance operational efficiencies, prevent repetitive errors, and resolve disputes more effectively.
We are currently exploring the application of artificial intelligence to manage, organize, and retrieve legal documents more efficiently. Future initiatives include transitioning to a more sophisticated platform that will further improve automation, streamline workflows, reduce errors, and free up our legal experts to focus on strategic matters.
Where do you envision yourself in the long run, and what are your future goals for your company?
As the air transport industry gradually recovers from the COVID-19 crisis and approaches pre-pandemic traffic levels, it’s evident that the sector has undergone transformative changes. With numerous airlines unable to continue operations and survivors compelled to optimize processes and minimize costs, the challenges are significant. In my role, I am deeply committed to lifelong learning and continual adaptation, principles that I consider vital not only for personal growth but also for steering our company forward.
My aspiration is for Aerolíneas Argentinas to not only adapt but also thrive in this new landscape by creatively overcoming obstacles and enhancing our operations. Through these efforts, I hope that our company amplifies its role as a fundamental tool for the economic growth of our country.
What would be your advice to women who aspire to venture into the industry?
In my professional journey, I’ve learned the importance of trusting our instincts and remaining steadfast to our values. Achieving respect in a male-dominated industry hinges on authenticity. It’s crucial that we voice our ideas and concerns without hesitation; our unique perspectives and contributions as women are invaluable.
Equally important is building relationships. Colleagues and internal clients can be your staunchest allies if you learn to earn their trust and respect. This requires understanding your role in each project and becoming a business enabler. Another aspect of this skill is fostering a committed team that supports each other in every project. For me, being part of such a team has been crucial in managing the responsibilities of motherhood alongside leadership duties.
Lastly, developing resilience is essential for navigating the complexities and uncertainties of the air transport industry and adapting to the challenges that arise.
