PHOTO GALLERY: Bombardier Global 5000 & Challengers at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP)

Continuing with photos of business jets and turboprops organized by theme, this post features aircraft manufactured by Bombardier; a Global 5000 and several Challengers shot at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) by blog editor Phil Perry.

Bombardier Global 5000, N404NA (c/n 9356), taxis at Aeroparque on 07Aug17. (Phil Perry Photo)

Perez Companc / Cheyenne S.A. Bombardier Challenger 300, LV-BSS (c/n  20219), lands at Aeroparque on 23Jan11. (Phil Perry Photo)

Royal Class Canadair Challenger 601-3A, LV-BYG (c/n 5032), at Aeroparque on 15Aug14. (Phil Perry Photo)

Condor Express Canadair Challenger 605, LV-CCW (c/n 5805), at Aeroparque on 06Aug16. (Phil Perry Photo)

Sources:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/

http://www.laasdata.com/

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral and Azul

Continuing the ongoing expansion of routes that directly connect Argentina's provinces without going through Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral are adding three more new routes, all be two of them seasonal in nature: 

* Rosario (ROS) - Ushuaia (USH) - eff 01Jul17 - End of August

To be operated by Austral E190's 1x/weekly.

* Bahia Blanca (BHI) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 03Jul17 - End of August 2017 and eff 08Dec17 - Easter 2018

To be operated by Austral E190's 2x/weekly.

* Bahia Blanca (BHI) - Neuquen (NQN) - eff October 2017

To be operated by Austral E190's 4x/weekly.

Azul is adding seasonal summer service to these two Brazilian oceanside resort areas:

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Navegantes (NVT) - eff 11Dec17 - 04Mar18

To be operated with E195's 1x/daily from 11Dec17 to 17Feb18 and 4x/weekly from 18Feb18 to 04Mar18.

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cabo Frio (CFB) - eff 16Dec17 - 03Mar18

To be operated with E195's 1x/weekly.

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/07/bahia-blanca-mas-destinos-aerolineas-argentinas/

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/06/aerolineas-argentinas-unira-bahia-blanca-con-bariloche-y-neuquen/

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/06/mas-destinos-de-azul-hacia-buenos-aires-navegantes-y-cabo-frio/

ROUTE UPDATE: COPA adding Mendoza (MDZ) - Panama City (PTY) eff 16Nov17

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Panama City (PTY) - eff 16Nov17

To be operated with 737-800's 4x/weekly.

Mendoza (MDZ) will be the fourth Argentine airport served by COPA with the others being Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR) and Rosario (ROS).

This new service will connect Mendoza (MDZ) with 13 US cities, 4 in Mexico, 2 in Canada, and 25 destinations in Central America and the Caribbean. 

Mendoza (MDZ) already has international service to the United States through LATAM Chile's hub in Santiago (SCL) but to only three destinations; New York Kennedy (JFK), Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX).

Source:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/06/noviembre-arranca-copa-volar-mendoza/

ROUTE UPDATES: LATAM to fly seasonally from Santiago (SCL) to Bariloche (BRC) and Punta del Este (PDP)

* Santiago (SCL) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 03Jan18 - 28Feb18

Flights to be operated with A320's 3x/weekly.  

Bariloche (BRC) is only the latest Argentine destination to be added to LATAM's international route system.  New airports to be served by the carrier this year include Neuquen (NQN), San Juan (UAQ) and Tucuman (TUC), which will be joining LATAM's international flights to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Mendoza (MDZ), Rosario (ROS), and Salta (SLA).   

* Santiago (SCL) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 04Jan18 - 25Feb18 

Flights to be operated with A320's 2x/weekly. 

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/06/latam-volara-entre-bariloche-y-santiago-de-chile/

http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/zonas-del-portal/entrevistas-y-reportajes/item/24573-latam-airlines-operara-ruta-entre-santiago-de-chile-y-punta-del-este-en-el-verano-2018

PHOTO GALLERY: Argentine Provinces - Official Aircraft - at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) #2

This is the second posting of a two-part Photo Gallery (the first one was posted on Friday, June 16). All of the photos were taken by blog editor Phil Perry at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP).  

Provincia de Salta Learjet 45, LV-BXD (c/n 45-254), at AEP on 29Oct10. (Phil Perry Photo)  

Provincia de Tucuman Cessna 550 Citation Bravo, LV-BEU (c/n 550-1120), at AEP on 29Oct10. (Phil Perry Photo)

Provincia de Buenos Aires Cessna 550 Citation II, LV-WEJ (c/n 550-0724), at AEP on 29Oct10. (Phil Perry Photo)

Provincia de La Pampa Cessna 208B Caravan I, LQ-CEB (c/n B-2166), at AEP on 17Nov16. (Phil Perry Photo)



Provincia de Catamarca / Transportes Aereos Catamarca Piper PA-31T Cheyenne II, LV-MOE (c/n 31T-7920050), at AEP on 13Oct15. (Phil Perry Photo)

Sources:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.laasdata.com/

ROUTE UPDATE: Norwegian Airlines announces flights between London Gatwick (LGW) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) eff 14Feb18

Norwegian Air UK 787 at London Gatwick (LGW) 

Photo Credit: Steve Bates from Norwegian Airlines website: http://media.norwegian.com/us/#/images/norwegian-s-787-dreamliner-at-london-gatwick-307588

Norwegian Airlines announced today the introduction of its new low-fare service between Argentina and the UK:  

* London Gatwick (LGW) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 14Feb18

The new flights will link the two cities 4x/weekly using 787-9's equipped with 344 seats, 35 in Premium Economy and 309 in Economy operated by its Norwegian Air UK division.  Passengers will be able to connect at London Gatwick (LGW) with Norwegian flights to 38 destinations in 11 European countries.

Norwegian Air UK currently operates two 787-9 with one on order. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/06/anuncio-oficial-norwegian-la-ruta-buenos-aires-otras-consideraciones/ 
http://media.norwegian.com/us/#/news/norwegians-uk-growth-continues-with-a-new-route-from-london-to-argentina-247891

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerovias DAP adding summer seasonal flights between Chile and Argentine Patagonia / Tierra del Fuego

Source: Aerovias DAP website

This Chilean airline, which is based in Punta Arenas (PUQ) in southern Patagonia on the Strait of Magellan, will fly three routes linking PUQ with points in Argentine Patagonia / Tierra del Fuego during the southern hemisphere 2017-18 summer season.  

* Punta Arenas (PUQ) - Ushuaia (USH) - eff 22Nov17

Operated with BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85, Avro RJ100 or 737-200's 2x/weekly. 

* Punta Arenas (PUQ) - Puerto Natales (PNT) - El Calafate (FTE) - eff 30Nov17

Operated with BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85, Avro RJ100 or 737-200's 2x/weekly. 

* Punta Arenas (PUQ) - Balmaceda (BBA) - Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) - eff 18Dec17

Operated with BAe 146-200, Avro RJ85, Avro RJ100 or 737-200's 2x/weekly. 

Source:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/04/confirman-vuelos-de-aerovias-dap-hacia-comodoro-rivadavia-y-el-calafate/

ROUTE UPDATES: Air France, Air New Zealand, United

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Newark (EWR) - eff 28Oct17

The US airline will reintroduce service on this route after having dropped it in September 2013.  Flights will be operated 1x/daily using 767-300's complementing the carrier's nightly 777-200 service from EZE to Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH).   

* Montevideo (MVD) - Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Discontinued eff 29Oct17

The French airline has operated this route since April 2013 as an extension of its Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) service, most recently 5x/weekly with 777-200's, but the carrier is dropping it in favor of codeshares with Gol Brazilian Airlines from Montevideo (MVD) through Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) and Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Paris.

    

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Auckland (AKL) - Increased Frequency eff 07Nov17

Will increase frequency for the southern hemisphere summer adding a fourth weekly 787-9 flight on 07Nov17 increasing to five flights on 05Dec17 until 13Mar18.  

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/united-airlines-volvera-a-operar-entre-nueva-yorknewark-y-buenos-aires/
http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/primera-plana/item/24523-el-proximo-29-de-octubre-cambia-la-operativa-de-air-france-desde-montevideo
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/04/air-new-zealand-aumenta-la-frecuencia-de-sus-vuelos-entre-buenos-aires-y-auckland/

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas Cordoba (COR) Hub Flight Flows

Aerolineas Argentinas' new Cordoba (COR) hub which was inaugurated on 03Apr17 has reportedly enjoyed an 82% load factor.  

The hub is operated with one wave of flights starting its day in five northern cities; Iguazu (IGR), Jujuy (JUJ), Resistencia (RES), Salta (SLA) and Tucuman (TUC), arriving in Cordoba (COR) in the late morning with the aircraft continuing after a 90-120 minute layover to four southern cities; Bariloche (BRC), Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD), Neuquen (NQN) and Ushuaia (USH.

The same flow happens in reverse in the afternoon with the aircraft flying back north to Cordoba (COR) and on to the cities where they originated that same morning. 

In addition, Mendoza (MDZ), which is located in west central Argentina and is the third-largest city in the country, has two round-trips to Cordoba (COR) so it connects to all of the northern and southern flights twice-daily.       

Aerolineas also has flights from Cordoba (COR) to Rosario (ROS) and both Buenos Aires airports, Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE).  

Additional planned flights to Cordoba (COR) are:

* Cordoba (COR) - Rio Hondo (RHD) - eff 02Jun17

Operated using Austral E190's 6x/weekly. 

* Cordoba (COR) - Calafate (FTE) - eff 15Sep17

Operated using Austral E190's 3x/weekly. 

* Cordoba (COR) - Trelew (REL) - eff 16Sep17

Operated using 737-700's 4x/weekly. 

Sources:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=139299865&postcount=556
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170406/avn-170406.html
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/273097/aerolineas-argentinas-adds-cordoba-termas-de-rio-hondo-service-from-june-2017/ via Eric Trum
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/05/es-oficial-aerolineas-argentinas-unira.html   

ROUTE UPDATES: Andes Lineas Aereas adds several new routes

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio Hondo (RHD) - eff 23May17

Operated using MD-80's 3x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Cordoba (COR) - Samana (AZS) - eff 27May17

Operated using 737-800 / MD-80's 1x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 19Jun17

Operated using 737-800 / MD-80's 5x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 03Jul17

Operated using MD-80's 5x/weekly. 

Andes will soon have ten cities in its scheduled route network; Bariloche (BRC), Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Jujuy (JUJ), Mar del Plata (MDQ) (seasonal), Mendoza (MDZ), Puerto Madryn (PMY), Rio Hondo (RHD), and Salta (SLA), its home base.

The carrier also flies charters, especially for sports teams and school vacations to Bariloche (BRC) from points all over Argentina. 

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170511/avn-170511.html

PHOTO GALLERY: Argentine Provinces - Official Aircraft - at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) #1

This is the first of a two-part Photo Gallery to be posted tonight and next Friday, June 23.  All of the photos were taken by blog editor Phil Perry at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP).  

Provincia de Cordoba Beech B300 (350) Super King Air, LV-BAN (c/n FL-420), at AEP on 20Apr17. (Phil Perry Photo)

Provincia de San Juan Cessna 550 Citation II, LQ-YHC (c/n 550-0715), at AEP on 20Apr17. (Phil Perry Photo)

Provincia de San Juan Cessna 560 Encore +, LQ-CVO (c/n 560-0800), at AEP on 17Mar16. (Phil Perry Photo)

Provincia de Chubut Raytheon Hawker 400XP, LV-BEM (c/n RK-456), at AEP on 23Dec10. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Provincia de Santiago del Estero Learjet 45, LQ-CPS (c/n 45-094), at AEP on 21Jun16. (Phil Perry Photo)

Sources:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.laasdata.com/

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas, Amaszonas, Gol, LATAM Argentina, Latin American Wings

The following airlines have added or will add new / increased services as follows:

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Curitiba (CWB) - Increased Frequency

Increased from 5x/weekly to 6x/weekly on 01Apr17 and increasing to 1x/daily on 01Jul17 using Austral E190's.  

* Asuncion (ASU) - Salta (SLA) - Iquique (IQQ) - eff 04May17

Operated 3x/weekly using CRJ-200's.

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio Hondo (RHD) - eff 01Jun17

Operated 13x/weekly using A320's.

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Santiago (SCL) - eff 23Jun17 - 17Jul17

"Regularly scheduled charter" flights operated 6x/weekly using 737-300's.

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Joao Pessoa (JPA) - eff 01Jul17

Operated 1x/weekly using 737-800's.

* Cordoba (COR) - Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - eff 01Jul17

Operated 1x/weekly using 737-800's.

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/03/aerolineas-argentinas-incrementa-sus-vuelos-entre-curitiba-y-buenos-aires/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/04/amaszonas-paraguay-unira-salta-con-asuncion-e-iquique-desde-mayo/
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/273095/latam-argentina-adds-termas-de-rio-hondo-flights-from-june-2017/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170511/avn-170511.html
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/gol-confirma-sus-nuevos-vuelos-entre-buenos-aires-y-joao-pessoa/
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/272680/gol-adds-salvador-da-bahia-cordoba-flight-from-july-2017/ via Eric Trum

ROUTE UPDATES: LATAM adding international flights to Neuquen (NQN), Rosario (ROS), San Juan (UAQ) and Tucuman (TUC)

LATAM Group announced in April a major expansion connecting "interior" Argentine cities directly to the group's hubs in Lima (LIM) and Santiago (SCL).

* Rosario (ROS) - Santiago (SCL) - eff 01Jul17

Operated by LATAM Chile A320's 4x/weekly. 

* Tucuman (TUC) - Lima (LIM) - eff 01Sep17

Operated by LATAM Peru A320's 3x/weekly. 

* San Juan  - Santiago (SCL) - eff 01Oct17

Operated by LATAM Argentina A320's 3x/weekly. 

* Tucuman (TUC) - Santiago (SCL) - eff 02Oct17

Operated by LATAM Chile A320's 3x/weekly. 

* Neuquen (NQN) - Santiago (SCL) - eff 04Oct17

Operated by LATAM Argentina A320's 3x/weekly. 

Once all of these flights are implemented, the LATAM Group of airlines will offer international flights from nine airports in Argentina; Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Mendoza (MDZ), Neuquen (NQN), Rosario (ROS), Salta (SLA), San Juan (UAQ) and Tucuman (TUC), more than any other airline.  

Sources:

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/272981/latam-expands-argentina-regional-routes-in-2h17/ via Eric Trum
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/04/tucuman-san-juan-neuquen-tendran-vuelos-internacionales-latam/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/04/latam-volara-desde-santiago-y-lima-hacia-tres-nuevas-ciudades-del-interior/

ROUTE UPDATE: Conviasa flights to Ezeiza by Wamos discontinued in May, operated by Turpial 737-400's and Conviasa E190's

Wamos Air of Spain had been operating 747-400, EC-KXN (c/n 25703/1025), on behalf of the Venezuelan state-owned carrier Conviasa between Caracas (CCS) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Madrid (MAD) for a couple of years after the European Union rescinded Conviasa's route rights after failing a safety audit in 2012.  However, Wamos operated its 747-400 to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) for the last time on 03May17 citing "political reasons" for the suspension, stranding hundreds of passengers in the process.  

In response, Conviasa chartered two of the three 737-400's operated by the privately-owned Venezuelan carrier Turpial Airlines, YV-613T (c/n 24795/1870) and YV-622T (c/n 27384/2673), to fly between Ezeiza and Caracas (CCS) with stops in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) on 08May17.  The airline's third 737-400, YV-621T (c/n 27352/2624) also flew this route on 11May17. These flights were later complemented by a flight by one of Conviasa's own E190's on 13May17, also with a stop in Santa Cruz (VVI) for refuelling.       

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/05/tapando-agujeros.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/05/conviasa-apela-al-e190.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Norwegian postponing Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - London Gatwick (LGW) flights until early 2018, might use A320neo's in Argentina

Flightglobal.com, the online website of the leading British aviation magazine, Flight International, reports that Norwegian has postponed the start of its 787 service between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and London Gatwick (LGW) from November 2017 to a hoped-for date of February 2018 due to necessary changes in its accounting system to adjust to the Argentine tax regime.

The newly-established Norwegian Air Argentina, which was presumed to be planning to operate 737 aircraft, might instead take on some of the A320neo's that the parent carrier has on order. 

Source:

https://www.flightglobal.com/asset/17019

PHOTO GALLERY: BAe 125 and Hawker 800 Business Jets at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP)

BAe 125 and Hawker 800 business jets photographed at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) by blog editor Phil Perry over the last few years:

Fuerza Aerea Uruguaya BAe 125-700A, CX-CIB (c/n 257071), at AEP on 07Mar17.  This aircraft is apparently used for VIP transport, presumably mostly by the president of Uruguay. (Phil Perry Photo)

Global Oil S.A. Hawker 800XP2, LV-CJG (c/n 258411), at AEP on 25May12. (Phil Perry Photo)

CAS SA Lineas Aereas (Condor Express) ? Hawker 800XP, LV-BBG (c/n 258707), takes off from AEP on 17Mar16. (Phil Perry Photo)

Puyel S.A. / Alparamis S.A. ? Hawker 800XP, LV-ZTR (c/n 258462), at AEP on 01Oct10. (Phil Perry Photo)

Hawker 800XP, N348MC (c/n 258290), at AEP on 01Aug10. (Phil Perry Photo)

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2013/05/hs-125-para-uruguay.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/
http://www.laasdata.com/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Azul Uruguay moving forward on starting operation with 6-8 ATR-72-600's

Azul Uruguay, the planned new Uruguayan division of Azul Brazilian Airlines, has completed submitting the necessary paperwork to the Uruguayan DINACIA aviation authority to demonstrate its fitness to operate as an airline, with the Junta Aeronautica, another Uruguayan aviation agency, next in line to grant the new airline provisional operating authority. 

Azul Uruguay plans to start flying with 6-8 factory-new ATR-72-600's from Montevideo (MVD) to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Porto Alegre (POA), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Cordoba (COR), probably in the second half of this year.  The carrier plans to employ many former Alas Uruguay and PLUNA employees.  

Sources:

http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/primera-plana/item/24396-dinacia-se-apresta-a-autorizar-a-azul-como-aerolinea-uruguaya

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/azul-uruguay-cada-vez-mas-cerca-de-ser-una-realidad/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: List of over a Dozen New Airlines proposing to start service in Argentina

This posting is to bring together the names of new Argentine airlines that are proposing to start service and existing Argentine airlines that are either growing substantially or looking to possibly do so under the new route hearing regime. 

Existing Argentine airlines that have ADDED new service or soon will:

* Andes Lineas Aereas

* Avianca Argentina

Existing Argentine airlines that are PLANNING to add new service:

* American Jet

Proposed New Argentine Airlines:

* Alas del Sur - PROPOSED - NEVER STARTED - AS OF 30May20

* Flybondi
* Flyest

* Norwegian Air Argentina 

Rumored New Argentine Airlines: 

ALL BELOW - PROPOSED - NEVER STARTED - AS OF 30May20 * Amaszonas Argentina ? 
* Baires Jet 
* Buenos Aires International (Juan Maggio, ex-owner of defunct Southern Winds) 
* Flecha Bus
* LAPSA
* Royal Class
* SABSA (Via Bariloche Group)

Information on most of these appears in past postings under the label "New Argentina Airlines - Post 2015".

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170511/avn-170511.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Via Bariloche bus company starts process of starting airline division

Via Bariloche, one of Argentina's most important long-distance bus companies, recently started the process of establishing an airline division with the Argentine ANAC aviation authority looking to participate in the second round of recent airline route hearings to be held later in June or in July.

Another Argentine long-distance bus company, Flecha Bus, is also reportedly considering starting an air carrier division. 

These bus companies would not be the first to start an airline in Argentina.  The Andesmar bus company operated an airline of the same name in 1996 flying two Saab 340's on regional routes for a short time.        

Sources:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2023809-al-menos-tres-empresas-piensan-entrar-en-el-negocio-aerocomercial
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/06/si-no-puedes-con-tu-enemigo-unete-el.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Alas Mediterraneas looking to fly from Cordoba (COR) with three Saab 340's

Alas Mediterraneas was founded in Cordoba in 2008 with the intention of flying charters and even planned to acquire a 737-300 from Mexico but the restrictive air transportation policy of the previous Argentine presidential administration prevented the carrier from starting operations.

The infrastructure of what had been developed of Alas Mediterraneas to that point was sold to businessman Claudio Ortiz Belgoff and a group of investors in 2010 with no further plans being made until recently when the carrier announced plans to present itself at the next Argentine public route hearings, currently scheduled for late June or in July.

The airline would base operations at a Cordoba (COR) hub (much as Aerolineas Argentinas is developing and as Alas del Sur and Avianca Argentina have proposed) with flights to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP),  Catamarca (CTC), Rio Cuarto (RCU), Rosario (ROS), San Luis (LUQ), and Santiago del Estero (SDE) using three Saab 340s.

Source:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1996102-alas-mediterraneas-una-empresa-cordobesa-que-se-suma-a-los-pedidos-de-rutas-aereas

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flyest CRJ-200 LV-GIJ parked at Aeroparque (AEP) waiting to fly

Flyest CRJ-200, LV-GIJ (c/n 7466), parked at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 19Apr17.  The aircraft has apparently been parked in the same spot in front of AEP's new terminal since late March.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Flyest, the airline that aims to succeed the defunct Sol Lineas Aereas as a small regional carrier complementing Argentina's mainline airlines, received its first aircraft, the ex-Sol CRJ-200, LV-GIJ (c/n 7466) in early March, but it has since been parked at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) with no indication of when the airline might start service.   

Air Nostrum Connection

The airline is 51% majority-owned by Gustavo Cebreiro, ex director general of Sol, with 49% of the airline in the hands of ILAI, an investor group of which the Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum is a member.  Air Nostrum has been in the process of implementing a strategy of partnering with South American regional airlines using surplus CRJ-200 aircraft from its fleet, with its greatest success being its venture with the Amaszonas group of airlines, including Amaszonas Bolivia, Amaszonas Paraguay and Amaszonas Uruguay.  In contrast, Air Nostrum's partnership with Sol Lineas Aereas only lasted for a couple of months in late 2015 / early 2016 when the new management of Aerolineas Argentinas that came in with the change of government in Argentina abruptly withdrew its marketing agreement and accompanying financial assistance to Sol in January 2016. 

Current Status & Future Plans

Flyest took over Sol's AOC and scheduled route rights to Rosario (ROS), Cordoba (COR) and Punta del Este (PDP).  It planned to start flying to Montevideo (MVD on 07Apr17 but that service has yet to materialize.  Its aircraft, LV-GIJ, is still painted in basic Austral colors with Flyest billboard titles but the airline plans to paint future aircraft, it hopes to have five CRJ-200's in service by late 2018, in its own color scheme, which has yet to be presented to the public.   

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/04/datos-de-flyest/
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/03/listo-para-volar.html

FLEET UPDATE: Andes Lineas Aereas takes delivery of its first 737-800

Andes Lineas Aereas took delivery of 737-85F, LV-GWL (c/n 30007/746) on 19May17, the first 737-800 in its fleet.  The aircraft was first delivered to South African Airways in 2001 and went on to fly for Firefly and Malaysia Airlines before going to Andes.  It arrived at Andes' home base of Salta (SLA) on 21May17.

LV-GWL joins four MD-80's currently in the Andes fleet with 1-2 more MD-80's and one 737-800 expected to be added before the end of 2017.  Despite the addition of MD-80's to the fleet this year, they are all expected to be replaced by 737-800's during 2018.  

The new aircraft acquisitions will enable the airline to take on several new scheduled routes that are being added to its network under the new liberalized Argentine air transportation policy implemented by Argentine President Mauricio Macri's administration.

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/andes-recibio-su-primer-boeing-737-800-lv-gwl/
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Andes%20Lineas%20Aereas.htm
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/andes-nuevo-vuelo-desde-aeroparque-hasta-republica-dominicana/