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