ROUTE UPDATES: LATAM Brazil & Peru adding more service to Argentine "Interior"

Contrary to LATAM Argentina's cutback in Argentine domestic service, the other LATAM Group carriers are increasing connections between Argentina and neighboring countries, especially from the Argentine "Interior".  

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - eff XXMar18 - 3x weekly

Operated by LATAM Brazil with A320's.

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - eff 25Mar18 - 1x weekly

Operated by LATAM Brazil with A320's.

* Tucuman (TUC) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - eff 02Jun18 - 3x/ weekly

Operated by LATAM Brazil with A320's.

* Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Cordoba (COR) - Lima (LIM) - eff 04Jul18 - 2x/weekly

Operated by LATAM Brazil with A321's.

* Tucuman (TUC) - Lima (LIM) - eff 06Nov18 - increase to 1x/daily

Operated by LATAM Peru with A319's.  

* Salta (SLA) - Lima (LIM) - eff 09Nov18 - increase to 1x/daily

Operated by LATAM Peru with A320's.  

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/11/mendoza-y-tucuman-tendran-vuelos-a-san-pablo-de-latam-brasil/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171214/avn-171214.html
https://aviacionline.com/2018/03/salta-y-tucuman-tendran-vuelos-diarios-a-lima-desde-noviembre/
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2018/04/novedades-aerocomerciales-en-cordoba_13.html

ROUTE UPDATES: LATAM Argentina cuts domestic routes for first time; Bahia Blanca (BHI) & San Juan (UAQ) stations closing

 

LAN Argentina sought to expand domestic operations during the previous Argentine presidential administration but was not allowed to and was not even permitted to bring in substitute aircraft on a temporary basis when a plane from the existing fleet had to be taken out of service for heavy maintenance.  

Under the current government, LATAM Argentina (successor to LAN Argentina) can expand freely if it wants to but is not doing so and for the first time ever is even cutting back its presence in the Argentine domestic market as noted below: 

* Bahia Blanca (BHI) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - eff 01Jun18 - ROUTE CANCELLED

Route will be cancelled and LATAM's Bahia Blanca (BHI) station will be closed as a result.  Reason given by the airline is lack of profitability. 

* San Juan (UAQ) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - eff 01Jun18 - ROUTE CANCELLED

* San Juan (UAQ) - Santiago (SCL) - eff 01Jun18 - ROUTE CANCELLED

Both of the above routes will be cancelled and LATAM's San Juan (UAQ) station will be closed as a result.  Reason given by the airline is lack of profitability.

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/03/latam-elimina-los-vuelos-a-san-juan-y-bahia-blanca/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn180308/avn-180308.html

ROUTE UPDATES: Air Canada, Edelweiss

* Toronto (YYZ) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 02May18 - Flight changes to non-stop

Air Canada has been flying from Toronto (YYZ) to Buenos Aires (EZE) via  Santiago (SCL) for several years, most recently 4x/weekly using 787-9's.

Effective 02May18, Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Santiago (SCL) will both be served non-stop from Toronto (YYZ); Buenos Aires 3x/weekly and Santiago 5x/weekly, both with 787-9's.  The reason for Santiago having more flights than Buenos Aires is that there is more business travel between Chile and Canada due to the very active mining industries in both countries.     

One consequence of the new routings is the loss of the cheap one-way fares offered by Air Canada between Santiago and Buenos Aires and v.v. as a way of filling empty seats on these legs.   

* Zurich (ZRH) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 07Nov18 - 2x/weekly

Edelweiss is the leisure division of Swiss International Airlines and part of the larger Lufthansa Group of carriers.  The new service will be operated with A340-300's, presumably because these aircraft are written down on the carrier's accounting books, appropriately lending themselves to low-fare tourist    traffic.  

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/09/air-canada-pasa-directo-vuelo-toronto/

https://aviacionline.com/2017/11/edelweiss-air-unira-a-buenos-aires-con-zurich/
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/276013/edelweiss-air-opens-buenos-aires-reservation-for-nov-2018-launch/ via Eric Trum

ROUTE UPDATES: Air Europa, Ethiopian

* Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 01Mar18 - 24Mar18 - Equipment alternating between 787-9 and 787-8 

Back in October, it was reported that MAD-EZE would be the first route that Air Europa would introduce its new 787-9's on with the type being flown on an alternating basis every other day with 787-8's between 01Mar18 and 24Mar18, presumably because Air Europa would be using its one and only 787-9 on the route during that time period. 

* Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 25Mar18 (?) - 787-9 definitively replaced 787-8 

Air Europa is currently operating the 787-9 for all of its flights between MAD-EZE, 7x/weekly.   

* Cordoba (COR) - Asuncion (ASU) - Madrid (MAD) - Frequency increases & no change to 787-8

Air Europa is currently operating on the COR-ASU-MAD route 4x/weekly, with increases eff 29May18 to 5x/weekly and effective 26Jun18 to 6x/weekly.

The equipment change from the A330-200 to 787-8 which was previously announced for 03Mar18 did not take place. 

* Addis Ababa (ADD) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) extends to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - eff 08Mar18 - 5x/weekly

Ethiopian's service from Addis Ababa (ADD) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) that started in 2013 was extended to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 08Mar18 on a 5x/weekly basis using 787-8's.  In celebration of the first flight coinciding with International Women's Day, it was operated with an all-female cabin and flight deck crew. 

Interestingly, even before the first flight to Buenos Aires took place, the airline announced that the service would go to 1x/daily effective 25Mar18 with an upgauging from 787-8 aircraft equipment to larger 777-200LR's (an increase of 270 to 321 seats) on 01Jun18, signalling strong advance bookings.   

Sources:

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/275280/air-europa-schedules-787-9-argentina-service-in-march-2018/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171102/avn-171102.html
https://aviacionline.com/2018/01/air-europa-pospone-la-llegada-del-787-a-cordoba/
https://aviacionline.com/2017/11/ethiopian-airlines-inauguraria-sus-vuelos-a-buenos-aires-en-marzo-de-2018/
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/275571/ethiopian-airlines-plans-buenos-aires-march-2018-launch/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171221/avn-mn-171221/avn-mn-171221.html
https://vuelosyspotters.com/2018/01/10/ethiopian-airlines-volara-todos-los-dias-entre-buenos-aires-y-addis-abada/

ROUTE UPDATES: Azul expands Argentina & Uruguay connections with Brazil

Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras entered the Argentina - Brazil air travel market in March 2016 and has not stopped growing since, steadily adding new gateways in Argentina during the last two years.  Service to Uruguay has also increased.

Summer 2018 - Seasonal Service - Scheduled

Azul was reported to be planning the following routes during the southern hemisphere summer months and presumably operated them though planned service occasionally does not materialize as announced:

* Sao Paulo Viracopos (VCP) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 21Dec17 - 04Feb18

Flights to the popular Uruguayan summer resort.

* Porto Alegre (POA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 21Dec17 - 04Jan18

Flights to the popular Uruguayan summer resort.

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

1x/daily until 17Feb18 and 4x/weekly until 04Mar18 operated with E195's.

NOTE:  Above service has been extended indefinitely on a 4x/weekly basis. 

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cabo Frio (CBF) - eff 16Dec17 - 03Mar18 -1x weekly

Operated with Embraer E195's

Year-Round Scheduled Service

* Rosario (ROS) - Recife (REC) - eff 24Mar18 - 1x weekly

Operated with A320neo's

* Cordoba (COR) - Recife (REC) - eff 25Mar18 - 1x weekly

Operated with A320neo's

* Cordoba (COR) - Porto Alegre (POA) - eff 01Jul18 - 4x weekly

Operated with Embraer E-195's

* Rosario (ROS) - Porto Alegre (POA) - eff 03Jul18 - 3x weekly

Operated with Embraer E-195's

Winter 2018 - Seasonal Service - Scheduled

Azul is planning to operate the following route during the southern hemisphere winter:  

* Sao Paulo Viracopos (VCP) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 30Jun18 - 29Aug18 - 3x/weekly

Operated with A320's to the popular Argentine ski / lakes / mountains resort. 

Sources:

https://aviacionline.com/2017/06/mas-destinos-de-azul-hacia-buenos-aires-navegantes-y-cabo-frio/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171005/avn-171005.html
https://aviacionline.com/2017/11/azul-empezo-a-comercializar-sus-nuevos-vuelos-hacia-cordoba-y-recife/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/02/azul-volara-bariloche-regular-desde-san-pablo-dos-meses/
https://aviacionline.com/2018/03/azul-extendio-sus-vuelos-entre-buenos-aires-y-navegantes/
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/277977/azul-adds-new-argentina-routes-from-porto-alegre-in-july-2018/ via Eric Trum

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Norwegian Air Argentina's sole 737-800 reportedly leaves Argentina

Norwegian Air Argentina's sole 737-800 leaves Argentina

Norwegian Air Argentina's sole aircraft, 737-800 LV-HQH (c/n 42278/6347), reportedly departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) for Stockholm yesterday, 24Apr18.  The editor of this blog has not been able to confirm this but even if the aircraft has not left Argentina yet, multiple reports have stated that it will do so imminently.  Additionally, the process of cancelling the aircraft's Argentine registration is reportedly underway. 

NAA Suspended ?

LV-HQH's sudden departure with apparently no plans for the aircraft's return to Argentina at a future date would suggest that Norwegian's plans for Norwegian Air Argentina might have been shelved but there are at least two possible explanations other than NAA's suspension.

Extra Capacity Needs during Northern Hemisphere Summer 

Norwegian commented on the departure of LV-HQH that the carrier needs to add all available capacity during the European summer high season due to recent delays in the delivery of some 737 MAX 8's by Boeing. 

Some media have also reported that Norwegian will likely need extra aircraft in Europe because of anticipated aircraft downtime due to engine issues with some of the 787's (Rolls-Royce powerplants) and 737-800's (possible CFM-56 inspections in the wake of the recent Southwest midair engine failure) belonging to Norwegian's various divisions.       

Expensive Lease Payments 

Another possible explanation is that the aircraft reportedly carries with it US$ 200,000 monthly lease payments, which is a lot of money for an aircraft that is only participating in NAA's bureaucratic start-up procedures, and even then only occasionally, while not producing any revenue.       

Changing Aircraft Type to Airbus ?

Other reports suggest that Norwegian is analyzing using Airbus A320neo's or A321neo's for NAA's fleet but Norwegian does not operate nor have on order either type.    

Conclusion ?

Some Argentina aviation blogs have expressed doubts that the removal of NAA's sole 737-800 signals the demise of the start-up carrier given Norwegian's substantial investment of time and money in the project so far, especially considering that there have been no other developments pointing to shutdown of the operation. 
   
To review, LV-HQH arrived in Argentina in January 2018 and performed several flight trials for a start-up later this year by the carrier.  The aircraft even participated in a ceremony with the King and Queen of Norway during their recent visit to Argentina.  LV-HQH was based at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) during its time in Argentina.

Norwegian Air UK's 787 service between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and London-Gatwick (LGW) is apparently not affected by the reported changes at NAA.   

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2018/04/adios-nonino.html
https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2128590-norwegian-decidio-llevarse-el-unico-avion-que-tenia-matricula-argentina
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/04/adios-nonino/
https://aviacionline.com/2018/04/astor-se-fue-de-gira-a-europa/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Norwegian Air Argentina to be suspended ?

The future of Norwegian Air Argentina, the new Argentine Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) that was planned to start service later this year, appears to be in doubt.

Rumors that Norwegian would establish an LCC in Argentina started a couple of years ago but the carrier surprisingly did not participate in the route hearings of 27Dec16, the first held in Argentina in over ten years.  While Norwegian appeared to progress more concretely recently, having participated in the 06Sep17 route hearings and even having brought a 737-800 to Argentina fully-painted in NAA's colors complete with the image of Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla on the tail, the carrier's planned start-up date was pushed back from August to October 2018 and again now to the end of this year.   

Explanation for the delays has been tied in some media to the late delivery by Boeing of new 737 MAX 8's to Norwegian, the parent carrier, which was in turn related to the late delivery of the new aircraft type's engines, the LEAP-1B, by their manufacturer, CFM International.  However, some recent reports have suggested that Norwegian failed to make timely payments to Boeing causing the manufacturer to hold up deliveries.   

Indeed, Norwegian has been in financial trouble lately having lost EUR 31 million last year and amassed a debt of some EUR 2,000 million (EUR 2 billion), very burdensome for a carrier its size.  This invited the interest of IAG, the owner of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling, resulting in the airline group buying 4.61% of Norwegian with an eye to buying all of the carrier.  Should IAG buy Norwegian (not a foregone conclusion due to European regulators' concerns of potentially reduced competition resulting from such an acquisition), the future of Norwegian Air Argentina would hinge on IAG's interest, or lack thereof, in pursuing an LCC project in Argentina.   
Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn180412/avn-180412.html

http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/columnistas/luis-alejandro-rizzi/item/26037-iag-va-por-norwegian

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn180419/avn-180419.html  

Aerolineas Argentinas: Feeder Carrier for Domestic Flights ? - Austral New Aircraft by end 2018 - Long-Haul Aircraft to Oceania - Intercon Routes to Stay

Aerolineas Argentinas President Mario Dell' Acqua spoke at the recent World Travel & Tourism Council conference held in Buenos Aires stating four particular points of interest:   

* FEEDER AIRLINE PARTNER ? 

With Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral steadily transitioning to larger aircraft, service to many of the Argentine domestic airports currently served by the group will no longer be commercially viable, not being able to produce enough passengers to operate larger aircraft profitably.  To remedy this situation, the Aerolineas group is looking to organize a network of feeder routes with "a serious and solvent" carrier operating smaller aircraft, presumably connecting smaller cities to Buenos Aires and AR's Cordoba (COR) hub. 

There has been speculation in at least one Argentine blog about which carrier this might be:

Flyest with its CRJ-200's is possible with its connection to the well-established Spanish commuter carrier Air Nostrum but Flyest is also a reincarnation of the now-defunct Sol Lineas Aereas that had a feeder agreement with Aerolineas' management under the previous Argentine presidency that was widely regarded as a sham.

LASA, the new Neuquen-based carrier that is scheduled to start service soon with EMB-145's is also possible. 

Avianca Argentina with its two ATR-72-600's, with more expected to be added to the fleet soon, would seem like a natural candidate to be a feeder carrier fro Aerolineas, both because it is "serious and solvent", having a major corporation as its backer, and operating an appropriate type of aircraft for feeder operations
possessing both a moderate number of seats and fuel-efficient propeller engines.       

* AUSTRAL NEW AIRCRAFT TYPE BY END 2018

Similar to what Aerolineas Argentinas has been saying recently, the new aircraft type that will eventually replace all of Austral's 26-strong E190 fleet is planned to have 180 seats, which appears to eliminate the E195 E2 new-generation jet from Embraer that is replacing the corresponding first generation E170/175/190/195 series of aircraft.       

The first example of the new type will likely be flying for Austral before the end of 2018, which suggests that a contract to buy or lease the type will be agreed to soon.  How long it will take to replace all 26 E190's is still unknown but previously it was suggested that the process would conclude in about 2-3 years time.  

* NEW LONG-HAUL TYPE REQUIREMENT TO OPERATE PROFITABLY TO OCEANIA

Aerolineas is actively considering the new type that will replace its current long-haul fleet of 10 A330-200's and 2 A340-300's with a decision expected before the end of the year.  A newly-revealed requirement is that the new type must be able to operate profitably to Australia and New Zealand, which would suggest that the aircraft chosen will need to fly long distances nonstop with a full payload.

* INTERCONTINENTAL ROUTES TO STAY    

There has been much speculation in recent years that Aerolineas would dump its intercontinental routes due to their lack of profitability but the airline's flights from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Miami (MIA), New York Kennedy (JFK), Madrid (MAD) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) will apparently continue. 

Sources:

https://aviacionline.com/2018/04/aerolineas-argentinas-en-la-wttc-2018-tarifas-mas-bajas-y-comentarios-sobre-flota-long-haul-y-alianzas-en-cabotaje/
https://aviacionline.com/2018/04/aerolineas-argentinas-analiza-hacer-una-alianza-con-una-compania-de-cabotaje/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/04/aerolineas-argentinas-hablo-de-una-premium-economy-para-los-vuelos-internacionales/

ROUTE UPDATES: Andes LIneas Aereas steady growth in late 2017 / early 2018

Andes Lineas Aereas was reported by various news outlets to be planning the following new routes over the last few months.  Most of the scheduled flights have been verified by the editor of this blog as currently in operation but they might have started later than originally announced.  

All routes are operated by MD-83's or 737-800's or a combination of both. 

Scheduled Service

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Tucuman (TUC) - eff 21Nov17 - 6x/weekly

The route was originally announced as going on to Jujuy (JUJ) after stopping in Tucuman (TUC) but the airline is currently flying Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Jujuy (JUJ) non-stop and might not have ever started Jujuy (JUJ) as an extension of Tucuman (TUC).   
  
Summer 2018 - Seasonal Service - Scheduled

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Punta del Este, Uruguay (PDP) - eff 22Dec17 - 5x/weekly

This marks the first scheduled international service by Andes although the airline has flown charter series for tour companies to Brazil and the Caribbean plus occasional international ad hoc charters for professional sports teams, in addition to the large number of Argentine domestic student and sports charters that it has flown for many years. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - eff 27Dec17 - 3x/weekly

This is a resumption of the route that Andes flew in summer 2017.

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) or Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis, Brazil (FLN) - eff January 2018

Summer 2018 - Seasonal Service - Charters

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Varadero, Cuba (VRA) - eff 30Dec17 - 1x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porlamar, Venezuela (PMV) - eff 30Dec17 - 2x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Samana, Dominican Republic (AZS) - eff Dec 2017 ? - 1x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cabo Frio, Brazil (CFB) - eff January 2018

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro, Brazil (BPS) - eff January 2018

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Salvador, Brazil (SSA) - eff January 2018

* Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis, Brazil (FLN) - eff 04Nov17-31Mar18

* Cordoba (COR) - Cabo Frio, Brazil (CFB) - eff January 2018 (?)

Ongoing Charters

* Cordoba (COR) - Maceio, Brazil (MCZ) - eff 07Apr18

This is a new charter service contracted by tour operators for sale to customers buying tour packages.  It is intended as a year-round service to this beach resort in northeastern Brazil subsidized by the local state government in the form of reduced fuel taxes to incentivize flights that will help fill local hotels in the offseason.     

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171102/avn-171102.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171221/avn-171221.html
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/11/andes-confirma-vuelos-punta-del-este-mar-del-plata-verano/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171123/avn-171123.html
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/novedades-aerocomerciales-en-cordoba_14.html
https://aviacionline.com/2018/02/andes-operara-vuelos-charter-entre-cordoba-y-maceio/

ROUTE UPDATE: Avianca Argentina adding Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Fe (SFN) eff 06Jun18

Avianca Argentina ATR-72-600, LV-GUH (c/n 1395), taxis in after landing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 29Mar18.  This aircraft is one of two ATR-72-600's that have joined the airline so far. (Phil Perry Photo)

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Fe (SFN) - eff 06Jun18 - 2x/daily

Operated with ATR-72-600's.  Santa Fe (SFN) will be the fourth airport in Avianca Argentina's network joining Aeroparque, Mar del Plata (MDQ) and Rosario (ROS).  The new flights are expected to connect at Aeroparque with those to Mar del Plata (MDQ) just as the Rosario (ROS) flights already do. 

Source:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/04/avianca-argentina-confirma-vuelos-a-santa-fe-desde-junio/

Judge lifts limits on flight operations at El Palomar (EPA) opening way for Flybondi to consolidate Buenos Aires services

Lifting of Restrictions on Flight Operations at El Palomar (EPA)

On 10Apr18, Judge Nestor Barral lifted restrictions on the number of flight operations by commercial carriers at the El Palomar (EPA) airport / air base located west of Buenos Aires and used by new Argentine LCC (Low-Cost Carrier) Flybondi for its flights servicing that city.  Previously, on 10Jan18, Federal Judge Martina Forns of the San Martin district had imposed a temporary injunction on flights at EPA pending the results of an environmental impact study determining the likely effects of commercial flights on the residential neighborhoods adjacent to the airfield.  This order was partly nullified by another legal finding on 01Feb18 limiting flight operations to six daily movements (takeoffs or landings) at EPA while the environmental impact study was being conducted.  

Flybondi Buenos Aires Flights split at Two Airports

With Flybondi being the only airline operating out of El Palomar (EPA), this measure effectively allowed the LCC to operate all three of the daily permitted takeoffs and all three landings but all of its additional flights serving the Buenos Aires region had to be flown out of Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP).  This led to the carrier having two operational bases in the Buenos Aires area with all of the extra costs that this implies plus a somewhat chaotic and confusing situation for passengers due to the uncertainty of which airport flights would depart from / arrive at.        

Consolidation of Flights at El Palomar (EPA)

Immediately after the order lifting the injunction, Flybondi started the process of shifting its operations at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to El Palomar (EPA), consolidating all of its flights serving Buenos Aires at the low-cost facility west of the city.  As of Saturday, April 14, the airline had five departures from EPA and seven on Sunday, April 15 serving all seven domestic destinations that it serves from EPA; Bariloche (BRC), Cordoba (COR), Corrientes (CNQ), Jujuy (JUJ), Mendoza (MDZ), Neuquen (NQN) and Tucuman (TUC). 

The lifting of the injunction also allows other carriers to start service from El Palomar (EPA).

Neighborhood Opposition

"Stop Flybondi", a group of residents from neighborhoods bordering El Palomar, such as the town of El Palomar to the south and Hurlingham to the north,  opposes commercial service at the airport and denounced the lifting of the temporary injunction as arbitrary and having no legal merit, going on to criticize the lack of noise mitigation measures and alleging collusion by the court with the Argentine federal government to promote the growth of commercial air traffic in the country without regard to laws that might limit such expansion. 

El Palomar (EPA) Airport Upgrade

The Argentine federal government has undertaken a 1,600 million (1.6 billion) peso project (approx. US$ 80 million) adapting El Palomar (EPA) for commercial operations in three stages:

1) 209 million pesos towards an upgrade of the existing small civil terminal for the start of commercial operations (already completed)

2) The renovation of hangars previously used by the military with two floors to be used for shops, automatic check-in kiosks, self-service baggage belts and customs and immigration facilities.  Work on this conversion is planned to start in July. 

3) Construction of an all-new purpose-built passenger terminal on the southwest side of the airport with capacity of up to 1 million passengers per annum.          

Source:

https://aviacionline.com/2018/04/levantan-la-cautelar-sobre-el-palomar-y-flybondi-tiene-via-o-pista-libre-para-operar-alli/
       

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Polar Lineas Aereas, proposed new Argentine start-up carrier, granted route authorities

Polar Lineas Aereas S.A., which proposed to fly 44 domestic routes and 31 international routes at the 06Sep17 Argentine route hearings, yesterday was granted the right to fly many of its requested routes by the Argentine Ministry of Transport.  

The airline's request consisted of both passenger and cargo routes focusing heavily on the San Luis province airports of San Luis (LUQ), Villa Mercedes (VME) and Merlo (RLO) including also many routes from Buenos Aires, Cordoba (COR) and La Plata (LPG).  Proposed international routes were mostly within South America but extended as far as Europe and Asia.  Approved international rights are reportedly mostly within South America.  

The route awards are for domestic and international non-scheduled flights, are valid for 15 years and subject to the airline being approved for an Air Operator Certificate and starting service within 180 days after having obtained the latter.

Possible aircraft types include the Airbus A319, A340, Boeing 737 and even the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, although there are few of the latter in operation anywhere in the world and none operating passenger flights.

Polar's reported business plan is to operate a network of cargo routes within Argentina that in turn would feed an international network of cargo flights from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Miami (MIA) where the freight would connect to US domestic flights.

Polar was awarded the rights because, according to Argentine Minister of Transport Guillermo Dietrich, the carrier proposes a "novel" network of routes not currently covered by other airlines.  The Transport Ministry expects that the carrier might invest up to US$ 650 million and employ 1,200 workers in its operation.   

Polar is owned by Daniel Barbosa, who previously operated CATA, an Argentine domestic airline that flew passenger and cargo flights using Fairchild FH-227's between 1986-2006.  Various Argentine media outlets have associated Polar Lineas Aereas with Polar Air Cargo of the United States but the editor of this blog could not find any news reports emanating from outside Argentina that suggested such a connection. 

Full details on Polar's presentation at the 06Sep17 route hearings:

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Polar Lineas Aereas to request 75 routes at 06Sep17 Route Hearings

Sources:

https://www.infobae.com/economia/finanzas-y-negocios/2018/04/09/hoy-la-autorizaron-a-volar-y-ya-hay-polemica-con-polar-la-nueva-low-cost-argentina/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Azul Uruguay launch suspended due to Azul refocus on Brazil

Azul Uruguay, the new airline which was planning to start service out of Montevideo (MVD) in March this year, was put on hold by its parent company, Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras, in late December 2017.

Three new ATR-72-600's, (c/n 1342) that was to be registered CX-URA, (c/n 1360) that was to be CX-URB and (c/n 1367) to be CX-URY, were at the aircraft manufacturer's factory in Toulouse, France already earmarked to join Azul Uruguay but have since been reassigned to the fleet of Azul in Brazil. 

The start-up of Azul Uruguay was rumored to be suspended due to objections by its parent company to the certification procedures of the Uruguayan DINACIA aviation authority that took 16 months to license the now-defunct Alas Uruguay in 2015-16.  However, Azul Brazil said in a statement that the new division's start-up was due to a reassignment of resources to expansion in Brazil due to the country's nascent recovery from the economic recession of recent years.

Sources:

http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/columnistas/sergio-antonio-herrera/item/25476-azul-uruguay-por-enquanto-nao-viu

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171221/avn-171221.html

http://www.portaldeamerica.com/index.php/columnistas/sergio-antonio-herrera/item/25521-azul

PHOTO GALLERY: Derelict aircraft at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in late 2017

Three abandoned aircraft have sat forlornly for months on the southeast side of Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) near the military sector commonly used for government VIP flights, including those of the Argentine president.    

The 737-200 and Learjet profile photos below were taken on 08Oct17 and the Turbo Commander and Learjet nose photos were taken on 26Nov17, all by blog editor Phil Perry.  The aircraft were spotted still at this location on 31Mar18. 

Former American Falcon 737-200, LV-WGX (c/n 21358/498), has been abandoned at Aeroparque for over a decade, at first on the west side of the airfield just north of the hangars there before the move to its present location on the southeast side.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-WGX was delivered to Gulf Air of Bahrain in 1977 where it flew until joining the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet in 1994.  It eventually joined the Argentine carrier American Falcon in 2000 where it flew until 2003 before being stored at Aeroparque in 2005 where it has been ever since.  

Rockwell 680V Turbo Commander, LV-OFX (c/n 680V-1681-63), was also on the west side of Aeroparque until its recent move to the southeast side.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-OFX first flew over 50 years ago in 1967 and was delivered directly to the Argentine Army's "Aviacion de Ejercito" as AE-104 before assuming its present civilian identity LV-OFX in 1980 and flying for a trio of operators, including Air Amigos, Banco Juncal and Empesur S.A.  It was finally embargoed in 1995 and abandoned soon thereafter.   

Learjet 35, LV-ZZF (c/n 35-049), sits engineless with its flying days behind it.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

LV-ZZF first flew in 1976 and was delivered to Arab Wings of Jordan, going on to fly for several operators in the US and Canada before joining Baires Fly in Argentina in April 2003 with its present identity.  

Front nose-on shot of LV-ZZF.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-ZZF when it was still operational flying for Baires Fly at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 29Oct10.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Sources:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/05/lv-wgx-boeing-737-2p6-cn-21358498.html

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2012/01/lv-ofx-rockwell-680v-turbo-commander-cn.html

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2011/01/lv-zzf-learjet-35-cn-35-049.html

PHOTO GALLERY: Ex-Macair Jetstream 32's at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Nov17

Engineless ex-Macair Jetstream 32, LV-ZOW (c/n 869), near the military sector on the southeast side of Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Nov17.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Ex-Macair Jetstream 32, LV-ZRL (c/n 928), in the same military area on the southeast side of Aeroparque on 26Nov17, also engineless and apparently at the end of its service life.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Both LV-ZOW and LV-ZRL were reportedly no longer at AEP on 16Dec17, being presumably taken away for scrapping.

Macair operated a total of six Jetstream 32's, which will be the subject of a posting in the near future. 

LV-ZOW (c/n 869) first flew on 06Nov89 and was delivered to American Eagle in 1990, going on to AeroVip in Argentina in 1999 where it flew under several brands, including Aerolineas Argentinas Express, LAPA Vip and ARG Express, before joining Macair in 2007.     

LV-ZRL (c/n 928) first flew on 02Apr91, also being delivered to American Eagle before going on to CC Air where it operated on behalf of US Airways Express in the Carolinas region of the southern United States.  The aircraft went on to join AeroVip in Argentina in 1999, flying under several brands, including Aerolineas Argentinas Express, LAPA Vip and ARG Express and also flying in AeroVip's house colors before joining Macair in 2007.      

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/11/ya-no-volaran.html
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/roll-out-n-344-fleet-list.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/11/lv-zow-bae-jetstream-313212-cn-869.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/11/lv-zrl-bae-jetstream-31-cn-928.html