El Observador of Uruguay reports that BQB Lineas Aereas will take delivery of a third ATR-72-212A in December to complement the two ATR's in its fleet since 2010, CX-JCL (c/n 805) and CX-JPL (c/n 816).
The third aircraft will reportedly be used to introduce service to Rivera (RVY) in northern Uruguay, plus Curitiba (CWB) and Porto Alegre (POA), both in Brazil. It will also presumably be used to help introduce service on the "Air Bridge" between Montevideo (MVD) and Buenos Aires - Aeroparque (AEP) when BQB starts flying the route twice-daily on 01Dec12.
Additionally, BQB plans to receive an A320, its first jet, in February 2013 for use on charter flights for six months to gain "certification" operating the type. The airline will then decide if it wants to add more aircraft to "consolidate the process of the company's development" according to Juan Patricio Lopez, CEO of the airline.
Editor's Comment: It sounds like BQB does not expect that a Uruguayan flag carrier replacing PLUNA will be formed so it is taking the initiative to be ready to operate some of the former carrier's routes.
Sources: http://www.elobservador.com.uy 13Nov12
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