Sunday, December 31, 2017

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas second 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE, arrived in Argentina at 4:57pm today

UPDATED 10Feb18:  Aerolineas Argentinas' 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717), takes off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 08Feb18. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas' second 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) at 4:57pm local time on 31Dec17 on its delivery flight from Seattle's Boeing Field (BFI) via Punta Cana (PUJ), according to flightradar24.com   

This aircraft is the second of 11 737 MAX 8's that Aerolineas has on order with at least the following three scheduled for delivery during 2018:


LV-HKU (c/n 44293/6753) 
LV-HKV (c/n 44294/6807)
LV-HKW (c/n 44296/XXXX) 

Saturday, December 30, 2017

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas introduced the 737 MAX 8 into service on 01Dec17; future route plans

Aerolineas Argentinas 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), taxis in at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Dec17. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas' first 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), entered regular airline service on 01Dec17 when it operated a Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mendoza (MDZ) round-trip service, eight days after arriving at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on its delivery flight on 23Nov17.  Aerolineas became the first Latin American airline to put the 737 MAX 8 into service. 

LV-GVD was officially presented to the press at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 04Dec17 and reportedly operated numerous route-proving flights to several  Argentine domestic airports in late November, including Bariloche (BRC), Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Mendoza (MDZ), Neuquen (NQN), Resistencia (RES), Rio Gallegos (RGL) and Salta (SLA).  

Aerolineas converted 11 of 20 737-800's ordered several years ago to 737 MAX 8's which will be delivered in the next 2-3 years.  The next four MAX 8's to be delivered, all expected in 2018 are:

LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717) 
LV-HKU (c/n 44293/6753) 
LV-HKV (c/n 44294/6807)
LV-HKW (c/n 44296/XXXX) 

All of the aircraft are being leased from Aviation Capital Group.

According to Routes Online (via Eric Trum) initial routes for the 737 MAX 8 in December 2017 / January 2018 include:

eff 10Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Cordoba (COR)
eff 11Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mendoza (MDZ)
eff 11Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Tucuman (TUC)
eff 17Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Neuquen (NQN)
eff 18Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Iguazu (IGR)
eff 30Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Salta (SLA)
eff 03Jan18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ)

Additional MAX 8 destinations are planned for mid-2018 including:

eff 02Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio Gallegos (RGL)
eff 03Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Posadas (PSS)
eff 03Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - San Juan (UAQ)

These dates / destinations are subject to change plus flightradar24.com has shown LV-GVD operating flights to Resistencia (RES) that is not on the above lists.

With its increased range over the the 737-800, the 737 MAX 8 is also expected to be deployed on routes from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and/or Cordoba (COR) non-stop to the Caribbean / Mexico with the most likely candidate destinations being Cancun (CUN) and Punta Cana (PUJ), currently served by Aerolineas A330's, which are apparently too large for demand on these routes.  Aerolineas' existing 737-800 fleet does not have the range to operate these services non-stop.        
Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/11/actualizacion-data-boeing-737max.html
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aerolineas-to-debut-737-max-in-december-443434/?cmpid=NLC|FGFG|FGABN-2017-1120-GLOB|news&sfid=70120000000taAf https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/se-presento-el-max-en-ezeiza.html
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/276284/aerolineas-argentinas-updates-737-max-8-routes-from-dec-2017/ via Eric Trum

Friday, December 29, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS & FLEET UPDATE: Flybondi received its first 737-800 on 02Dec17


First 737-800

Flybondi's first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), arrived at Cordoba (COR) on 02Dec17 after a week-long journey from Singapore via Hanoi, Osaka, Petropavlovsk, Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Since then, the aircraft has undergone numerous demonstration flights and promotional visits to several airports around Argentina, including Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 05Dec17 followed by Cordoba (COR), Bariloche (BRC), Neuquen(NQN), Jujuy (JUJ), Salta (SLA), Corrientes (CNQ), Iguazu (IGR) and Posadas (PSS) in recent weeks.

Air Operator Certificate 

Flybondi was expected to receive its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) in mid-December with the sale of tickets to follow soon thereafter on its planned initial routes; Cordoba (COR) to Bariloche (BRC), Iguazu (IGR) and Mendoza (MDZ), all expected to start in January.  

The Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) also plans to commence flights from the alternative Buenos Aires airport of El Palomar (EPA), just west of the city, in late January with flights between EPA and Cordoba (COR) tapping into the most heavily-traveled city pair in Argentina, Buenos Aires - Cordoba.    

El Palomar (EPA) - Low-Cost Carrier Airport

El Palomar (EPA) is an Argentine Air Force base which has only been used for airline flights once before in November 2010 when Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) closed for a few weeks due to runway work causing a few small airlines, such as Andes, BQB Lineas Aereas, PLUNA and Sol Lineas Aereas to move to EPA temporarily.  The facility is currently undergoing extensive work with the addition of ramp space and the construction of a new temporary terminal building.  Several air force hangars are undergoing modifications for use by civilian air carriers. 

Flybondi plans to have 10 737-800's in service by the end of 2018. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/y-un-dia-llego-flybondi.html
https://www.clarin.com/zonales/avanzan-obras-palomar-low-cost-usen-aeropuerto-enero_0_Sy8tAfgZz.amp.html
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2088764-la-aerolinea-low-cost-flybondi-presento-su-primer-avion-y-empezara-a-volar-en-enero-en-el-pais
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-visito-aep.html
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-se-presento-en-cordoba-y-ya.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171214/avn-171214.html
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-de-gira.html

Friday, November 24, 2017

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8 arrives in Argentina on 23Nov17


Aerolineas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on its delivery flight in the late afternoon of 23Nov17.  This is the first of five 737 MAX 8's to be delivered to the Argentine national airline in the coming months.

The MAX 8's were part of an earlier order by the carrier for 737-800's but they were converted to MAX 8's sometime during the last year or so.  All of the MAX 8's are being leased from Aviation Capital Group of Newport Beach, California, USA

Link to many photos of the aircraft at EZE after its arrival by the excellent blog Sir Chandler: 


Video of the arrival, also from Sir Chandler:


Sources:

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca Argentina started regularly scheduled service between Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Rosario service today 21Nov17


Avianca Argentina started regularly scheduled service this morning from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) becoming the first new Argentine airline to operate scheduled service in the country since Andes Lineas Aereas and Sol Lineas Aereas started flying in 2006 and the first new carrier to start up since the Argentine public route hearings that took place on 27Dec16. 

The carrier took delivery of two new ATR-72-600's, LV-GUG (c/n 1343) and LV-GUH (c/n 1395) on 13Jan17 and 11Mar17, respectively, which the airline had only used on charters until now, such as to the ski destination of Malargue (LGS) and numerous charters for sports teams. 

Flight A0 7100 took off today from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) at 08:06am, arriving back from that city at 10:47am.  The second daily rotation, flight A0 7108 took off from Aeroparque at 7:27pm.    

Video of the flight by the excellent blog Sir Chandler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2_UkCTKocA

The carrier is slated to start its second scheduled service, which will be between Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Mar del Plata (MDQ), next week on 28Nov17.  

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Avianca%20Argentina-active-atr.htm
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/11/historico-avianca-argentina-inicia-hoy-sus-vuelos-regulares/

Sunday, November 5, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca Argentina planning to receive 5 more ATR-72's by February plus 2 A320's in March

Avianca Argentina ATR-72-600, LV-GUH (c/n 1395), taking off from  Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 08Oct17, apparently on a press flight. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Avianca Argentina's start-up appears to be firmly on course with the airline selling tickets on its website for its first scheduled flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) and Mar del Plata (MDQ) on 21Nov17 and 28Nov17, respectively. 

Fleet Plans

Further plans are for the airline to receive three more factory-new ATR-72-600's in December, all of which have reportedly been painted in Avianca colors with at least one having made its first flight at ATR's manufacturing facility in Toulouse way back in July.  The hold up in delivery of the aircraft has apparently been due to the carrier waiting for the start of service to be authorized before bringing the planes to Argentina. 

Two more ATR-72-600's are scheduled for delivery in January and February for a total of seven ATR's (two were delivered earlier this year).  Two each will be based at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Cordoba (COR) and Tucuman (TUC) with one more aircraft on reserve, probably in Cordoba (COR). 

The carrier will also take delivery of its first two A320's in March for flights to Brazil. 

Avianca originally ordered 12 ATR-72-600's for its Argentine affiliate but deliveries beyond the first seven ATR's and two A320's will depend largely on which routes develop well and how many of each aircraft are needed for its route system. 

Jetstreams Gone

Avianca Argentina no longer operates any of the Jetstreams that it acquired when it purchased the Air Operator Certificate of MacAir.  The editor of this blog has seen one or two of these Jetstreams at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in recent months but they might have left Argentina by now or perhaps have joined the fleet of another Argentine company.

Aeroparque Hardstands

The north ramp area (adjacent to the north car parking lot) at Aeroparque has typically been used for parking up to a half-dozen aircraft at a time, such as business jets and MacAir Jetstreams, but will now also be used as hardstands for Avianca Argentina's ATR-72-600's.  

Labor Unions

Finally, one of the most important matters for all of the new Argentine carriers to resolve for their operations to be viable is reaching agreement with the labor unions.  Synergy Aerospace and Avianca Argentina President German Efromovich recently stated optimistically that "We are negotiating several labor contracts, we have preliminary agreements, and we are in the final stages of the negotiations."   

Sources:

Friday, November 3, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi first 737-800 delayed, sporadic flights to start in December


Flybondi will apparently receive its first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), in late November, a little later than announced a few weeks ago.  The Low-Cost Carrier's second 737-800 will be delivered in December with eight more 800's due to join the fleet in 2018.  Eight aircraft will be based at El Palomar (EPA), just west of Buenos Aires, and two in Cordoba (COR).

Flybondi is planning to start service with a few special flights in December, presumably something along the lines of introducing the airline's routes and aircraft to the communities that it plans to fly to, followed by regularly-scheduled flights in January.  

The carrier's first announced routes seem to have varied considerably in recent weeks but several airports / combinations of airports have been consistently mentioned, such as Cordoba (COR) - El Palomar (EPA) and Bariloche (BRC), Iguazu (IGR) and Mendoza (MDZ).  

Flybondi plans to eventually have its own purpose-built private simple low-cost terminal at El Palomar (EPA) but will start service with improvised facilities until that time.  

The airline presently has 114 employees on its payroll with plans for 190 staff by year's end.              Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/10/circulo-la-imagen-del-primer-avion-de.html
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/10/flybondi-presento-a-su-primer-boeing-737-800-con-el-esquema-de-la-compania/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/10/entrevista-ceo-flybondi-julian-cook/

Thursday, November 2, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi's first 737-800 painted in company colors

Flybondi's first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), has been painted in the new company's full colors as seen in the following photo taken at Singapore-Seleta (XSP) on 30Oct17.  Note the addition of "La Libertad de Volar" (the freedom to fly) titles.  

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=10062 via Eric Trum

Monday, October 30, 2017

PHOTO LINK: Aerolineas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD, painted in company colors


Aerolineas Argentinas' first 737 MAX 8 has been painted in full company colors and is soon to start flight testing prior to delivery to the airline in mid-November with an expected arrival in Argentina in about three weeks' time.

Aerolineas will be the first carrier in Latin America to take delivery of  a 737 MAX series aircraft having converted some existing orders for the 737-800 to the MAX last year.  In addition to the first aircraft, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), another example, LV-GVE (c/n 64208/ line number ?), is scheduled to be delivered to the Argentine state carrier in December with three more to follow in 2018.

Photo by Huy Do in Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cpthuy/24105384628/

Source:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/10/primer-max-aerolineas-argentinas-esta-pintado-llega-fines-noviembre/

Friday, October 27, 2017

Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) 1960 Terminal & North Parking Lot to be demolished for New Aircraft Parking Positions


With the imminent opening of the new control tower atop of Buenos Aires Aeroparque's Terminal A, the old control tower which is mounted on the old 1960 Terminal C (currently used only for offices) will be decommissioned making way for its demolition.  

The adjacent North Parking Lot will be closed, which together with the space cleared by the removal of the old terminal, will allow new ramp space to be constructed with parking positions for up to four aircraft.

In a previous posting from 06Jul17: AEP - Old Terminal + Parking Lot = New Ramp Space the editor of this blog reported that the existing Terminal B structure would be extended northwards with five new jetways once the parking lot closed (see diagram above) but it appears that there are no plans for any such construction in the near future.   

In addition, the military sector, which is currently southeast of the terminals will be relocated to make room for 2-3 more parking positions for commercial aircraft.  

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170921/avn-170921.html

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi reserves registrations for its first 4 737-800's


CORRECTION (updated 02Nov17): 

Flybondi's first aircraft will be 737-8AS/WL (c/n 33821/1698) to be registered LV-HKS

ORIGINAL POSTING:

According to the blog Linea ALA, Flybondi has reserved the registrations for its first four 737-800's, seemingly indicating that the airline is moving steadily forward in its plans to start service.

The first 737-800 that Flybondi will take delivery of is reportedly 737-86J (c/n 28071/133) which is scheduled to be registered as LV-HFR.  It was originally delivered to Air Berlin (Germany) in 1998 and is coming from Sun Express (Turkey).

The aircraft to follow are (in no specific order):

737-8BK/WL (c/n 33029/1945) to be registered LV-HFQ.  It was originally delivered to AJet (Cyprus) in 2006 and is coming from Sunwing Airlines (Canada).

* 737-8AS/WL (c/n 33821/1698) to be registered LV-HKS.  It was originally delivered to Ryanair (Ireland) in 2005 and is coming from Nok Air (Thailand).

* 737-88L (c/n 61300/6585) to be registered LV-HKN.  Curiously, it was only recently Nok Air (Thailand) on 19Sep17 and is apparently being passed on directly to Flybondi.

Sources:

Monday, October 23, 2017

Andes paints "Vamos Argentina" logo on its second 737-800, LV-HHK

POST UPDATE ON 26NOV17:  Andes Lineas Aereas 737-800, LV-HHK (c/n 30567/ 761), sporting a special "Vamos Argentina" sticker at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Nov17.  (Phil Perry Photo)   

Andes Lineas Aereas, a privately-owned Argentine carrier with a fleet of approx. five MD-80 series aircraft plus two 737-800's which were delivered earlier this year, painted a "Vamos Argentina" (Let's Go Argentina) sticker on its second 737-800, LV-HHK (c/n 30567/761), in support of the national football/soccer team's efforts to qualify for the Football/Soccer World Cup finals in Russia 2018.

The aircraft flew a charter with the Argentine national team from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Guayaquil (GYE) on 08Oct17 for its match with Ecuador on 10Oct17, which it won 3-1, qualifying Argentina for the finals in Russia next year.   

The sticker will hopefully stay on the aircraft until after the tournament, which will conclude on 15Jul18 in Moscow.

Additional Photos:

Friday, October 20, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca Argentina starting scheduled service on 21Nov17 from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS)


After flying several charters for Argentina's two most important professional football/soccer teams, Boca Juniors and River Plate, in recent months, Avianca Argentina has started selling tickets on its website for its first scheduled flights:

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rosario (ROS) eff 21Nov17

To be operated 12x/weekly with ATR-72-600's.

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) eff 28Nov17

To be operated 2x/daily with ATR-72-600's increasing to 4x/daily on weekdays and 3x/daily on weekends eff 25Dec17 for the summer season. 

Airfares start at AR$ 1156 (US$ 66) round-trip to Rosario (ROS) and AR$ 1496 (US$ 84) round-trip to Mar del Plata (MDQ).

Avianca Argentina earlier this year took delivery of the first two of 12 ATR-72-600's that it has on order, LV-GUG (c/n 1343) and LV-GUH (c/n 1395). 

Sources:

Friday, October 13, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi to start operating first route Cordoba (COR) - Iguazu (IGR) eff 15Nov17


Flybondi CEO Julian Cook announced on 25Sep17 that the new Argentine Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) will start service flying from Cordoba (COR) to Iguazu Falls (IGR) 2x/weekly on 15Nov17 using the sole 737-800 that it expects to take delivery of on 01Nov17.      

Mendoza (MDZ) to Iguazu Falls (IGR), possibly via Cordoba (COR), is expected to start at approximately the same time.  

Although Flybondi announced that its main operational base would be at El Palomar (EPA) airport (which is also an Argentine Air Force base) just to the west of the city of Buenos Aires, the airline has also signed agreements with the provinces of Cordoba, Corrientes and Misiones (details not revealed) to provide air service from the main cities of these regions to Buenos Aires.   

Flights out of the city of Corrientes (CNQ) to El Palomar (EPA) are planned to start in January 2018 7x/weekly with long-range plans for the carrier to fly the route 17x/weekly by 2021.        

Service from the Misiones city of Posadas (PSS) to El Palomar (EPA) is scheduled for January 2018 on a 1x/daily basis.

The above routes would depend on El Palomar (EPA) being authorized and ready for airline operations by January, which would seem optimistic.  The flights would presumably be routed to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) as an alternative until El Palomar (EPA) is ready.

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/flybondi-paso-por-misiones.html
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/09/flybondi-despegaria-mitad-noviembre-desde-cordoba/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/09/ultimas-novedades-de-flybondi-desde-corrientes-y-misiones/

Friday, October 6, 2017

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina 737-500 T-04 returns to VIP service

Republica Argentina 737-5H6, T-04, (c/n 26456/2527) lands at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina 737-5H6, T-04 (c/n 26456/2527), has returned to service flying for the Agrupacion Aerea Presidencial (presidential transport group) after a couple of years grounded at El Palomar Air Base near Buenos Aires undergoing heavy maintenance, including both engines being changed.  

The aircraft was originally delivered to Malaysian Airlines System in 1993 continuing on to fly for Air France in 1999 before joining Aerolineas Argentinas as LV-AYE in 2004 and then the Argentine Air Force in April 2014, after spending two years in storage following its withdrawal from service by the national carrier in 2012.  

T-04 was intended to replace the country's primary presidential transport 757 T-01 that had been due for very expensive maintenance leading to its grounding.  However, T-04 soon needed maintenance work too, which was recently completed at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) followed by several test flights and the aircraft resuming its governmental VIP transport role on 29Sep17 when it flew Argentine President Mauricio Macri and other government officials from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to San Luis (LUQ) and Mendoza (MDZ).   

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/un-dia-volvio-el-t-04.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/search?q=t-04

Saturday, September 30, 2017

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas' long-range fleet plans A340, A330, 737 MAX 8

Aerolineas Argentinas A340-313X, LV-FPV (c/n 193), in Skyteam colors will be one of the last two Aerolineas A340's to be retired from the fleet. (Phil Perry Collection)

Aerolineas Argentinas officially has six A340-300's remaining in its fleet but two are reportedly parked in the desert in the United States with two more to be retired in the coming months and two more with recently renovated interiors expected to stay in service with the Argentine national airline for another year.  

Referring to airfleets.net, A340-313X, LV-CSD (c/n 123) and A340-313X, LV-CSF (c/n 128) both ex-Singapore and Cathay Pacific examples, are apparently the aircraft that will be retired in December 2017 and March 2018.

The two A340-300's on lease from Iberia, A340-313X, LV-FPU (c/n 170) and A340-313X, LV-FPV (c/n 193), the latter painted in Skyteam colors, have had their interiors remodeled and will stay in service until December 2018, reportedly flying mostly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Cancun (CUN), Barcelona (BCN) and Madrid (MAD).  

The carrier's A330's will cover Aerolineas' other intercontinental routes to Miami (MIA), New York-Kennedy (JFK) and Rome-Fiumicino (FCO).  Once the A340's are gone, the A330's will operate all of Aerolineas' intercontinental routes plus many routes in the Americas that are beyond the range of the carrier's 737-800 fleet, at least until Aerolineas starts taking delivery of the longer-range 737 MAX 8, which will be deployed on routes such as Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Bogota (BOG) and Punta Cana (PUJ).    

Sunday, September 24, 2017

ROUTE UPDATES: LATAM Chile, LATAM Brasil, Air Europa


Santiago (SCL) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 04Jan18 - 25Feb18 - Seasonal Summer Service

LATAM Chile will operate between Santiago (SCL) and this Uruguayan beach resort 2x/weekly with A320 aircraft in competition with the Chilean LCC, Sky Airline.

Montevideo (MVD) - Florianopolis (FLN) - eff 06Jan18 - 25Feb18 - Seasonal Summer Service

LATAM Brasil will operate between Montevideo (MVD) and this Brazilian beach resort 1x/weekly with A320 aircraft.


Cordoba (COR) - Asuncion (ASU) - eff 03Mar18 - Equipment Change to 787-8

Air Europa is due to replace its current A330-200 service on this route with the 787-8 on 03Mar18, initially only until 24Mar18 but indications are that the change will be permanent.   

Sources:

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/274518/latam-chile-adds-seasonal-punta-del-este-service-in-1q18/ via Eric Trum
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/274519/latam-brasil-adds-florianopolis-montevideo-in-1q18/ via Eric Trum
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/air-europa-volara-en-dreamliner-cordoba.html

Friday, September 22, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi planning to receive first 737-800 on November 1



Flybondi 737-800 in initially proposed scheme (upper image) and modified scheme (lower image) with the only apparent difference being the yellow band sweeping down the tail reaching the lower fuselage.  

Flybondi recently announced that it expects to take delivery of its first aircraft, a 737-800 from Singapore, which should arrive in Argentina on 01Nov17. 

The airline has not made any specific route start-up announcements but reportedly has pilots undergoing simulator training in Sao Paulo and flight attendants hired for its planned Cordoba base.   

Flybondi says that it is negotiating leases for 10 737-800's to be delivered by the end of 2018 with 6 more aircraft to be added each year for a total of 30 in service by 2021.

Source:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/09/flybondi-promete-primer-avion-1o-noviembre/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170921/avn-170921.html

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

ROUTE UPDATES: Copa, Sky, Azul, Cubana


Cordoba (COR) - Panama City (PTY) - eff 02Dec17 - Adding Second Daily Flight

Copa will add a second daily 737-800 flight from Cordoba (COR) to its hub in Panama City (PTY), joining the many other international flights starting up from Argentina's second-largest city. 

With this flight, Copa will operate 46 weekly frequencies from Argentina to Panama City (PTY) composed of 7x/weekly from Rosario (ROS), 14/weekly from Cordoba (COR), 21/weekly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) (increasing from 17x/weekly soon), and 4x/weekly from Mendoza (MDZ), which is a new service to be added on 16Nov17.         

Santiago (SCL) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 13Dec17-11Mar18

Sky Airline will switch two of its existing five weekly flights between Santiago (SCL) and Montevideo (MVD) to the Uruguayan summer resort of Punta del Este (PDP) for three months during the southern hemisphere summer season to be operated with A319 aircraft.      

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Belo Horizonte (CNF) - eff 15Dec17 - One of two daily frequencies to be operated with A320neo

Azul operates two daily flights on this route with 118-seat E195's but one of them will be upgraded to the 174-seat A320neo, signaling high demand and success on the route, which it started flying in March of this year.   


Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Havana (HAV) - eff 19Dec17 - Adding second weekly frequency

Cubana will add a second-weekly Ilyushin Il-96-300 flight between Ezeiza (EZE) and Havana (HAV), stopping in Santa Clara, Cuba (SNU).  The existing 1x/weekly flight stops in Cayo Coco, Cuba (CCC) prior to arriving in Havana (HAV).    

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/08/copa-airlines-suma-un-segundo-vuelo-diario-entre-cordoba-y-panama/
http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/primera-plana/item/24865-cambios-en-vuelos-y-frecuencias-de-sky
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/09/azul-aumenta-la-capacidad-en-su-ruta-a-buenos-aires-al-incorporar-el-a320neo/
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/274569/cubana-boosts-argentina-service-from-dec-2017/  via Eric Trum

Monday, September 18, 2017

NEW AIRLINE PLANS & FLEET UPDATE: Azul Uruguay to take delivery of two ATR-72-600's as it prepares for the start of service


Start-up airline Azul Uruguay expects to take delivery of two new ATR-72-600's in the next month or two, CX-URA (c/n 1342) and CX-URY (c/n 1367), both apparently on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital.  A third ATR-72-600, CX-URB (c/n 1360), is reportedly undergoing flight tests at the ATR facility in Toulouse, France.         

The Uruguayan division of parent airline Azul of Brazil is going through the process of getting the aircraft certified for airline service by the Uruguayan aviation authorities and contracting personnel for the start of operations. Possible routes include Montevideo (MVD) to Cordoba (COR), Porto Alegre (POA), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), and the coveted "Air Bridge" to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP).     

Sources:

Sunday, September 17, 2017

ROUTE UPDATES: Amaszonas, United, Avianca


Cordoba (COR) - Santa Cruz (VVI) - eff 14Sep17 - POSTPONED

The Amaszonas group of airlines recently started flying from Cordoba (COR) to Montevideo (MVD) and was scheduled to also start CRJ-200 service from the central Argentine city to Santa Cruz (VVI) on a 3x/weekly basis on 14Sep17 but this route has been postponed until at least December. 
.  

Newark (EWR) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 29Oct17 - UPGAUGING TO 767-400 

United announced in June that it would restart this route, which it dropped in September 2013, with 767-300's 1x/daily eff 29Oct17 but recently indicated that it would upgrade the equipment to 767-400's.  

This change appears targeted at the business travel market because the 767-400 has more premium-class seats with 39 vs. 30 in business and 70 vs. 29 premium economy compared to the 767-300.  Both aircraft types have virtually the same number of economy-class seats with 133 for the 767-400 vs. 135 for the 767-300.   

Cordoba (COR) - Lima (LIM) - eff 17Nov17

This airline will start service from Cordoba (COR) to its Lima (LIM) hub 1x/daily using A320's in November competing head-to-head with LATAM from the same city to the Peruvian capital's airport, where LATAM also has a hub.

Sources:

Thursday, September 14, 2017

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas receives two more 737-800's


Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of its 30th and 31st 737-800 series aircraft when 737-887 LV-GVB (c/n 60500/6549) and 737-887 LV-GVC (c/n 60501/6568) departed the US on 29Aug17 and 11Sep17, respectively, both arriving in Argentina one day later.  Both aircraft routed from Boeing Field (BFI) near Seattle to Punta Cana (PUJ) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

These are the last 737-800's that Aerolineas will take delivery of with the next 737 deliveries to be the carrier's first MAX 8 models, to be registered LV-GVD (c/n 64207/line number ?) and LV-GVE (c/n 64208/line number ?) for delivery in November and December 2017, respectively.   

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/08/otro-mas-llego.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/otro-jet-esta-llegando.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/08/aerolineas-argentinas-ultimas-novedades.html