ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas was scheduled to substitute 737-800's for A340-300's between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Caracas (CCS) but increase frequency effective 08Aug14

Aerolineas Argentinas was scheduled to downgrade the size of aircraft that it operates from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Caracas (CCS) from A340-300's to 737-800's, effective 08Aug14, but at the same time increase frequency on the route from 5x to 6x/week until 01Sep14, at which time the route was scheduled to go to daily service.

Source: 

http://airlineroute.net/2014/06/30/ar-ccs-aug14/ via Eric Trum

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of the last of four used A330's leased from ILFC in June

A330-223 LV-FNJ (c/n 300), the last of four A330's being leased from ILFC, arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 07Jun14.  This aircraft was first delivered to SABENA in 1999 and also served with VG Airlines and Malaysia Airlines before the current lease with Aerolineas Argentinas.  

The other three A330-223's, LV-FNI (c/n 290), LV-FNK (c/n 358), LV-FNL (c/n 364) were all delivered to Aerolineas in the latter part of last year. 

The Argentine airline is due to take delivery of four new A330-200's directly from Airbus in 2015 and 2016. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/aerolineas-argentinas-arribo-el-lv-fnj.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/otro-airbus-330-para-aerolineas.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-300.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-a330.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of 737-8HX LV-FUA (c/n 40548/4995) on 19Jul14

Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of 737-8HX LV-FUA (c/n 40548/4995), its 11th 737-800 and 33rd 737NG, on 19Jul14 at Boeing Field (BFI) from where it was flown to Caracas (CCS) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) arriving on 21Jul14. The aircraft is on lease from Aviation Capital Group of Newport Beach, CA.

Sources:

http://www.planespotters.net/Production_List/Boeing/737/40548,LV-FUA-Aerolineas-Argentinas.php
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-b737ng.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Austral started Iguazu (IGR) - Rosario (ROS) - Cordoba (COR) service on 03Aug14

Austral Embraer 190AR, LV-CHO, (c/n 395), with flaps fully-extended as it lands at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 22Jan11.  (Phil Perry Photo)   

Austral Lineas Aereas added a stop in Rosario (ROS) to its existing Iguazu (IGR) - Cordoba (COR) service on 03Aug14.  

The route is being flown 2x/weekly as an Iguazu (IGR) - Rosario (ROS) - Cordoba (COR) roundtrip using Embraer 190's on Wednesdays and Sundays. 

The addition of the legs between Rosario (ROS) and Cordoba (COR) comes as bad news to Rosario-based SOL Lineas Aereas that has been flying the route with Saab 340's since the carrier's inception seven years ago.   

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140605/avn-140605.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140612/avn-140612.html

ROUTE UPDATE: SOL Lineas Aereas Adds/Drops Routes to adapt to Competitive Market Changes

SOL Saab 340A, LV-BMD, (c/n 123) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Oct10.  (Phil Perry Photo)   

SOL Lineas Aereas has made adjustments to its route structure to adapt to changes in the competitive marketplace, mostly by Aerolineas Argentinas and sister company Austral.

SOL dropped its "Oil Route", Cordoba (COR) - Mendoza (MDZ) - Neuquen (NQN) on 01Jul14 and with Austral adding the Rosario (ROS) - Cordoba (COR) sector, which was SOL's "bread and butter" route, SOL decided to drop Cordoba (COR) altogether, shifting equipment to reinforce Rosario (ROS) - Santa Fe (SFN).

The carrier also discontinued flights to Bariloche (BRC) and Esquel (EQS) in Patagonia and Ushuaia (USH) in southern Argentina on 20May14.

SOL's route system looked like this as of late July:

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rosario (ROS), 15x/week

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Fe (SFN), 11x/week

* Rosario (ROS) - Santa Fe (SFN)

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) multiple-stop route southward along the eastern seaboard of Argentina to Mar del Plata (MDQ), Bahia Blanca (BHI), Trelew (REL), Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD), Rio Gallegos (RGL), and Rio Grande (RGA) operated 5x/week.  

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Villa Gesell (VLG) seasonal service (summer)

All flights are operated with SOL's fleet of five Saab 340's.

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140626/avn-140626.html  
http://www.sol.com.ar/site/new/
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Sol%20Lineas%20Aereas.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Turkish has switched from the 777-200 to A330 to 777-300ER on the Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Istanbul (IST) route

During the last few months, Turkish Airlines changed the equipment it operates on the Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Istanbul (IST) route from the 777-200 to the A330, which features Comfort Class, to the 777-300ER with the airline's new Premium Class offering.   
Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140501/avn-140501.html

FLEET UPDATE: AR Jet 737-200 LV-ZYY - Still one 737-200 Flying in Argentina !

AR Jet is an Argentine charter airline based at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) that was founded in 2010.  It has flown its sole 737-236A, LV-ZYY, (c/n 21799/660) on a limited basis during that time, mostly for soccer teams and fans traveling to matches, such as for the Paraguayan Football Association in October 2013, the Boca Juniors - River Plate match in Cordoba in February 2014, the River Plate - San Lorenzo match in San Luis in May 2014 and other occasions as well. 
It was last spotted in Catamarca (CTC) in northwest Argentina on 31Jul14.

LV-ZYY, which was delivered to British Airways in 1980 as G-BGDJ also flew for Aerolineas Argentinas from 2002 to 2009.  It is believed to be the only 737-200 still in active service in Argentina.  

Photo of the aircraft in full AR Jet colors and titles in 2011:   

http://www.aviationcorner.net/show_photo_en.asp?id=235376

Photo of LV-ZYY more recently in AR Jet colors but with no titles:  
     
http://todalaaviacion.blogspot.com.ar/2013/10/lv-zyy-boeing-737200-de-vuelta-al-ruedo.html

Sources:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/ar-jet-quiere-cruzar-los-andes.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/07/lv-zyy-boeing-737-236a-cn-21799660.html

ROUTE UPDATE: Austral was due to start Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) flights on 02Jul14

Aerolineas Argentinas' sister airline, Austral Lineas Aereas, was due to start 4x/weekly Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) flights on 02Jul14 using its Embraer 190's but this service apparently had not started yet as of 26Jul14.  Aerolineas Argentinas was slated to take over the flights in August with 737-700's. 

Santa Cruz (VVI) would be the ninth international destination served from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) joining Montevideo (MVD) and Punta del Este (PDP) in Uruguay, Asuncion (ASU) and Santiago (SCL) plus the Brazilian airports of Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), Florianopolis (FLN), and Porto Alegre (POA).

Prior to the opening of Aeroparque to increased regional international destinations in 2010 only Montevideo (MVD) and Punta del Este (PDP) were served from the downtown airport.  

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140612/avn-140612.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retires several A340's

Aerolineas Argentinas retired several aging A340's from service earlier this year as it has taken delivery of the final A330's that it currently has on order. 

LV-ZRA A340-211 (c/n 085) which originally flew with Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and passed to AR in 1999 was put into storage in March 2014. 

LV-ZPJ A340-211 (c/n 074) also originally flew with Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and passed to AR in 1999 flying its last service with Aerolineas on 17May14 from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).  This aircraft is scheduled to undergo a major check after which it is rumored that it will be transferred to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina to serve as a VIP transport.

LV-BIT A340-313 (c/n 093) was originally delivered to Air Canada in 1995 and also flew for BWIA and Caribbean Airlines before joining Aerolineas in 2007. It was scheduled to fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Goodyear Municipal Airport, Arizona, USA on 22May14 for storage and possible scrapping.  

Fellow A340-312 LV-BMT (c/n 048) has also been stored at Goodyear since December 2013.   

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/mas-novedades-en-aerolineas-argentinas.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/07/lv-zra-airbus-a340-211-cn-085.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-85.htm
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/volaras-con-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-74.htm
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/otro-airbus-340-que-retorna.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-93.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-48.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: TAM reintroduced Cordoba (COR) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) service on 01Jul14

After a six-year absence from Cordoba (COR), TAM Brazilian Airlines reintroduced service to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) on 01Jul14 with 5x/weekly flights operated by A320 aircraft.  Service is expected to increase to daily flights by November. 

Cordoba (COR) is TAM's third city and fourth airport in Argentina with the carrier already flying A320 service to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) 3x/daily, Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 2x/daily and Rosario (ROS) 1x/daily.  The airline also has flights to Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 2x/daily.     

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140417/avn-140417.html
http://airlineroute.net/2014/05/30/jj-grucor-jul14/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140501/avn-140501.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140703/avn-140703.html
www.flightstats.com

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas to reduce frequency between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Miami (MIA)

Aerolineas Argentinas will reduce its A330/A340 flights between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Miami (MIA) from 14x/week to 10x/week effective September 2014 due to lowered demand resulting from the devaluation of the Argentine peso and weakness in the Argentine economy.

Source: 

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140703/avn-140703.html

PHOTO GALLERY: Argentine Fokker F-28's - #3 of 10+ - Aerolineas Argentinas LV-LOC (c/n 11083)

Aerolineas Argentinas F-28 Mk-1000, LV-LOC, (c/n 11083) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in 1978.  Note the small Aerolineas Argentinas titles and barely visible "Argentina 78" sticker by the front passenger door commemorating the 1978 World Cup hosted by Argentina.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

LV-LOC at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in March 1986 with large Aerolineas Argentinas titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

LV-LOC was delivered to Aerolineas Argentinas on 13Feb75 where it flew its entire commercial airline career until May 1995 when it was transferred to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina and re-registered as T-94.  The aircraft was scheduled to join the fleet of Austral in August 1991 and SASA (Sudamericana de Aviacion S.A.) in April 1994 but neither transfer was completed.  T-94 was withdrawn from use in Buenos Aires and broken up in June 1996.

Source:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/04/lv-loc-fokker-f-28-fellowship-mk-1000.html      

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas operated seasonal winter flights from Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Mendoza (MDZ)

Aerolineas Argentinas flew 1x/weekly flights on Sundays from Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Mendoza (MDZ) from 22Jun14 to 11Aug14 using 737-700's. An extra section was also scheduled to operate on Thursday, 19Jun14.  The main purpose of the flights is to bring Brazilian skiers to the Argentine ski resorts along the Andes Mountain range near Mendoza.   

These flights bring to five the number of Argentine airports with direct flights to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU); Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Rosario (ROS) and now Mendoza (MDZ).  

Sources:

http://airlineroute.net/2014/04/28/ar-mdzgru-jun14/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140501/avn-140501.html

Volga-Dnepr AN-124 visits Bariloche (BRC) to transport Arsat-1 satellite to French Guyana

Volga-Dnepr Antonov AN-124-100 Ruslan, RA-82067 (c/n 9773052255117) visited Bariloche (BRC) on 30Aug14 where it picked up the first telecommunications satellite built in Argentina, Arsat 1, for delivery to French Guyana via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

The US$ 270 million satellite, which was manufactured by the Province of Rio Negro state entity, Invap, and the national government agency, Arsat, is scheduled to be launched into space orbit in mid-October.   

Photo:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/08/el-ruslan-en-bariloche.html

Source:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1723176-el-satelite-argentino-arsat-1-listo-para-su-lanzamiento