PHOTO GALLERY: LATAM Brasil A320neo PT-TMN at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 17Nov16

LATAM Brasil A320-271N, PT-TMN (c/n 7126), taxiing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 17Nov16.  (Phil Perry Photo)

PT-TMN is one of only 32 A320neo's delivered worldwide as of 31Oct16 and only the third example delivered directly to airlines in the Americas so far, the other two carriers having received the A320 with new-generation engines being Frontier Airlines of the US and Viva Aerobus of Mexico.  

Both LATAM Brasil and Frontier have received examples with Pratt & Whitney PW1100 series engines and Viva Aerobus with CFM International LEAP-1A powerplants.  All three western hemisphere carriers had received only one A320neo each as of 31Oct16. 

Airbus currently holds orders for 58 A319neo's, 3,385 A320neo's and 1,375 A321neo's for a total of 5,171 orders for the A320neo family. 

Sources:

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-7126.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Airbus_A320neo_family_orders_and_deliveries
http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/frontier-airlines-takes-delivery-of-its-first-a320neo/
http://www.airbus.com/presscentre/pressreleases/press-release-detail/detail/airbus-delivers-first-a320neo-to-mexicos-viva-aerobus/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca officially names Argentine affiliate Avian Lineas Aereas, orders 12 ATR-72-600's

Synergy Aerospace, majority owner of Avianca, announced at the annual ALTA Leaders' Forum (Latin American airlines association) in Mexico City today, that its Argentine affiliate, announced earlier this year, will be officially named Avian Lineas Aereas. 

The group also announced, as previously intended, that it placed an order for 12 ATR-72-600's with options on six more directly from the manufacturer with the first delivery expected before the end of 2016 and all 12 in service by January 2018.  

The carrier plans to focus operations on Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Cordoba (COR), the latter serving Argentina's second largest city and with a central geographical location that is suitable for hub operations.   

The carrier's marketing strategy will be "linking under-served communities in Argentina", not so much competing directly with the established carriers, Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM Argentina. 

Service is expected to start in the first quarter of 2017, which is a surprise to the editor of this blog, since the carrier has apparently not even applied for any route rights yet.  

Sources:

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/synergy-buys-up-to-18-atr-72-600s-for-argentine-subs-431469/ 
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1956485-avianca-compro-12-aviones-para-empezar-a-operar-en-el-pais