Friday, December 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: November 2023 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Arajet, Azul, Jetsmart Argentina, Level, United

Route Updates - November 2023

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Rosario (ROS) - Neuquen (NQN) - 05Nov23 - E-190 - 2x/weekly - Remarks:

* Arajet - Santo Domingo (SDQ) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 14Nov23 - 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Arajet is a Dominican Republic airline that is building a hub in Santo Domingo (SDQ) with immediate connections from the Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) inbound flight to Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), México City (MEX), Cancún (CUN), Guatemala City (GUA), San Salvador (SAL), and San Jose (SJO).   Planning to add Asunción (ASU), Montevideo (MVD), Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI), Brasilia (BSB), Manaos (MAO), Río de Janeiro Galeao (GIG), São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), and Santiago (SCL).  Fleet as of August 2023 was five 737 MAX 8, 35 737 MAX 8-200 on order.  Other current destinations: https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/08/vuelos-low-cost-arajet-buenos-aires/

* Azul Linhas Aereas - Porto Alegre (POA) - Montevideo (MVD) - 01Nov23 - A320neo, E-195 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Reducing frequency from 1x/daily

* Azul Linhas Aereas - Porto Alegre (POA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - xxNov23 - E-195 - frequency ? - Remarks: Suspending 2x/weekly E-195 service during November until 17Dec23

*Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 30Nov23 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: 

* Level - Barcelona (BCN) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 02Nov23 - A330-200 - 9x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/daily

* United Airlines - Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) - Buenos  Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 29Nov23 - 777-200ER - 10x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/daily for Summer High Season until early March 2024

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Wednesday, November 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: October 2023 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, American, Azul, British, Delta

Route Updates - October 2023 - Part 1

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Bariloche (BRC) - El Calafate (FTE) - 04Oct23 - 737 Series - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until beginning of April 2024

* Aerolineas Argentinas - El Calafate (FTE) - Ushuaia (USH) - xxOct23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 -  2x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service increase in frequency from 10x/weekly, increasing again to 18x/weekly in November until March 2024

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Mendoza (MDZ) - Tucuman (TUC) - 02Oct23 - E-190 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: 

* Aerolineas Aegentinas - Rosario (ROS) - El Calafate (FTE) - 05Oct23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until April 2024

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Trelew (REL) - El Calafate (FTE) - 04Oct23 - 737 Series - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until beginning of April 2024

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Trelew (REL) - Ushuaia (USH) - 03Oct23 - type ? - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until April 2024

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Tucuman (TUC) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - 04Oct23 - E-190 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until beginning of April 2024

* American Airlines - Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 29Oct23 - 787-9 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly for the summer high season until 29Mar24

* American Airlines - Miami (MIA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 29Oct23 - 777-200ER, 777--300ER, 787-8 - 17x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 14x/weekly for start of the summer high season going up to 21x/weekly on 21Dec23 until 29Mar24 

* American Airlines - Miami (MIA) - Montevideo (MVD) - 29Oct23 - 787-8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Will increase frequency temporarily to 1x/daily on 20Dec23 until 07Jan24 when will revert to 3x/weekly until 29Mar24 when seasonal summer service will end altogether

* Azul Linhas Aereas - Curitiba (CWB) - Montevideo (MVD) - 31Oct23 - E-195, E-195-E2 - 4x/weekly - Remarks:  

* Azul Linhas Aereas - Porto Alegre (POA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - 26Oct23 - type ? - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Suspending service until 17Dec23 

* British Airways - London Heathrow (LHR) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 29Oct23 - 777-200ER - 1x/daily - Remarks: 5x/weekly nonstop LHR-EZE flights with 787-8 and 787-9 being replaced with one-stops in GIG until at least March 2024

* Delta Air Lines - New York Kennedy (JFK) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 28Oct23 - 767-400ER - 1x/daily - Remarks: First JFK-EZE service by Delta since late 2008 / early 2009

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ROUTE UPDATES: October 2023 - Part 2 - Ethiopian, Gol

Route Updates - October 2023 - Part 2

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Ethiopian Airlines - Addis Ababa (ADD) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 29Oct23 - A350-900 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Replacing 787-8 which will yield an increase from 270 to 348 seats

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 02Oct23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Only for month of October complementing 13x/weekly flights between GRU and AEP

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Sunday, October 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: September 2023 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Flybondi, Gol, Jetsmart Argentina, LADE

Route Updates - September 2023 - Part 1

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Puerto Iguazu (IGR) - 03Sep23 - A330-200 - Sporadic - Remarks: A330-200 widebody service complementing usual narrowbody flights on September 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27 and 28

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - El Calafate (FTE) - 02Sep23 - A330-200 - frequency ? - Remarks: A330-200 widebody service complementing narrowbody flights from Buenos Aires to FTE

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 03Sep23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Restarting service after 28Jun23 discontinuation.  Increasing frequency to 1x/daily in December and 2x/daily in January and February

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Brasilia (BSB) - Buenos Aires (AEP or EZE?) - xxSep23 - 737 Series - 1x/daily - Remarks:

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Montevideo (MVD) - 01Sep23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/daily - Remarks: Resuming 2x/daily frequency after reducing to 10x/weekly in early August

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Posadas (PSS) - 30Sep23 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly -  Remarks: Cancelling route

* Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) - Mendoza (MDZ) - Cordoba (COR) - Rosario (ROS) - Neuquen (NQN) - 05Sep23 - Saab 340 - 1x/15days - Remarks: 

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ROUTE UPDATES: September 2023 - Part 2 - Turkish Airlines

Route Updates - September 2023 - Part 2

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Turkish Airlines - Istanbul (IST) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 10Sep23 - A350-900 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly

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Friday, September 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: August 2023 - Gol, Iberia, Jetsmart Argentina

Route Updates - August 2023

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Cordoba (COR) - 03Aug23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Suspending service until 04Jan24 return of summer high season

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Rosario (ROS) - 04Aug23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Suspending service until 02Jan24 return of summer high season

* Iberia - Madrid (MAD) - Montevideo (MVD) - 01Aug23 - A330-200 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Resuming daily service after having cut to 6x/weekly in June 

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) - 31Aug23 - A320-200 - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Cancelling route

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Wednesday, August 16, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: July 2023 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Europa, Andes, Boliviana, Gol

Route Updates - July 2023 - Part 1

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Bahia Blanca (BHI) - 03Jul23 - 737-700, 800, MAX 8 - frequency ? - Remarks: Adding one additional daily flight on this route with AEP-BHI aircraft overnighting in BHI for return flight to AEP the next day.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cancun (CUN) - Havana (HAV) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 07Jul23 - A330-200 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Schedule through 2023 (editor was unable to confirm latter)

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Madrid (MAD) - 04Jul23 - A330-200 - 11x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 9x/weekly.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Punta Cana (PUJ) - 01Jul23 - A330-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Schedule through 2023 (editor was unable to confirm latter)

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) - 09Jul23 - A330-200 - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - San Martin de los Andes (CPC) - xxJul23 - 737-800 - Frequency ? - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service. 

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - Bariloche (BRC) - 08Jul23 - 737-700, 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service. First flight westbound is on 08Jul23, last flight eastbound is 30Aug23.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Rosario (ROS) - San Martin de los Andes (CPC) - 04Jul23 - 737-800 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service until 03Sep23.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Salta (SLA) - Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul23 - Type ? - Frequency ? - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service. 

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Bariloche (BRC) - 03Jul23 - 737 MAX 8 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service until mid-September.   

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - San Martin de los Andes (CPC) - 03Jul23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service until 18Aug23 (editor was unable to confirm service).

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Ushuaia (USH) - 06Jul23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service until 17Aug23 (editor was unable to confirm service). 

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Tucuman (TUC) - Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Service suspended from late April to June, but restarting for the winter season in July.

* Air Europa - Madrid (MAD) - Cordoba (COR) - 16Jul23 - 787-9 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Existing Madrid (MAD) - Asuncion (ASU) - Cordoba (COR) flights being split into Madrid (MAD) - Asuncion (ASU) 4x/weekly and Madrid (MAD) - Cordoba (COR) 3x/weekly to shorten flight times and allow for more connections in Madrid (MAD).  New flight times will also result in more connections at Aerolineas Argentinas' Cordoba (COR) hub to Argentina "interior" points. 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Rosario (ROS) - Bariloche (BRC) - 24Jul23 - 737-800 - frequency ? - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service - 2x flights in July.

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Bariloche (BRC) - 01Jul23 - 737-800 - frequency ? - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Ski Service - 9x flights in July.

* Boliviana - Cochabamba (CBB) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJul23 - 737-800 - 3x/weekly -  Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/weekly.

* Boliviana - Santa Cruz de  la Sierra (VVI) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJul23 - 737-800 - 11x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 9x/weekly.

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Florianopolis (FLN) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 01Jul23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service to complement daily FLN service to AEP.

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Fortaleza (FOR) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 01Jul23 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service.

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Joao Pessoa (JPA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 01Jul23 - 737 Series - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service (?)

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Salvador (SSA) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 01Jul23 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service .

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Montevideo (MVD) - 01Jul23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/daily - Remarks:  Reducing frequency from 17x/weekly until beginning of 2024.

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Tuesday, August 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: July 2023 - Part 2 - Jetsmart Argentina, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile

Route Updates - July 2023 - Part 2

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are usually not verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - San Martin de los Andes (CPC) - 03Jul23 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Year-round service

* Jetsmart Argentina - Cordoba (COR) - Bariloche (BRC) - 01Jul23 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter restart but will operate through end of year

* Jetsmart Argentina - Mendoza (MDZ) - Bariloche (BRC) - 01Jul23 - A320-200 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter restart that will reduce to 3x/weekly in mid-August for the rest of the year

* LATAM Brasil - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 02Jul23 - A320 Series - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Restarting on this airport-pair after three months suspension of service.  Complement to 2x/weekly GIG-EZE flights

* LATAM Brasil - Sao Paulo Guearulhos (GRU) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 01Jul23 - A320 Series - 26x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 22x/weekly

* LATAM Chile - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 01Jul23 - A320 Series - 10x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 7x/weekly

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Saturday, July 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: June 2023 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Andes, Boliviana, Gol, Jetsmart Argentina

Route Updates - June 2023 - Part 1

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are not always verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rosario (ROS) - Reconquista (RCQ) - 21Jun23 - E190 - 2x/weekly - Remarks:

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rome Fiumicino (FCO) - xxJun23 - A330-200 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 3x/weekly

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Puerto Iguazu (IGR) - Bariloche (BRC) - 19Jun23 - 737-800 - Remarks:  Student charter flight marking Andes Lineas Aereas first restart of service since before the pandemic 

* Boliviana - Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJun23 - A330-200 - Remarks: 
A330-200 occasionally subbing for 737 on EZE route for crew familiarization prior to flying on MAD and MIA routes

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Fortaleza (FOR) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 24Jun23 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks:

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mendoza (MDZ) - 01Jun23 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Increased frequency

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ROUTE UPDATES: June 2023 - Part 2 - Sky Airline

Route Updates - June 2023 - Part 2

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are not always verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Bariloche (BRC) - 15Jun23 - A320neo - 3x/weekly - Remarks:
Seasonal Winter Ski Service until 24Sep23

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Thursday, June 15, 2023

ROUTE UPDATES: May 2023 - American Jet, COPA, Cubana, Gol, Sky Airline

Route Updates - May 2023

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are not always verified by your editor.

Airline - Route - Eff Date - Aircraft Type - Flight Frequency - Remarks  

* American Jet - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mercedes (Corrientes Province) (MDX) - 25May23 - ERJ 145 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Tourist flights to the Esteros del Ibera natural habitat area.  

* COPA - Panama City (PTY) - Cordoba (COR) - 02May23 - 737-800 - 10x/weekly - Remarks:  -Increasing frequency from 7x/weekly.

* Cubana - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cayo Coco (CCC) - Havana (HAV) - 02May23 - A340-300 - 1x/weekly - Remarks:  Flights operated by Plus Ultra of Spain.

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Mendoza (MDZ) - 30May23 - 737 Series - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 3x/weekly until 31Jul23 for Winter Ski High Season.

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Lima (LIM) - 10May23 - A321neo - 3x/weekly - Remarks: First use of A321neo to Argentina by Sky Airline

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Merlo (RLO) - 25May23 - A320neo - One-Time Charter -  - Remarks: One-time charter flight with return to SCL on 28May23 as promotional test run for future travel from Chile to Valle de Conlara, San Luis, Argentina tourism area.  San Luis province, where Merlo is located, hopes that this route will be operated on a monthly basis. 

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Tuesday, May 30, 2023

FLEET UPDATE: Republica Argentina 757-200 presidential transport, ARG-01, arrived in Argentina on 25May23

UPDATE: Republica Argentina 757-200, ARG-01, c/n 29306/920 parked in the Fuerza Aerea Argentina (Argentina Air Force) section at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on a foggy 24Jul24. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Republica Argentina 757-200, ARG-01, c/n 29306/920 departed Salina (SLN), Kansas, USA on its delivery flight on 17May23 via Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) and Miami (MIA) where formalities were completed, finally arriving several days later at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in Argentina on 25May23, fittingly the Argentine May 1810 Revolution Day, which is celebrated on par with the country's July 9 Independence Day holiday.  

The aircraft joins the Agrupacion Aerea Presidencial (Presidential Flight), a component of the national civilian government, unlike its predecessor aircraft, which used to be part of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina (Argentine Air Force).

ARG-01 was initially delivered to Iberia Airlines of Spain as EC-HIP on 24Apr00, passing on to Funair Corp. (manufacturer of inflatable accessories for yachts) on 29May05 where it was re-registered as N757AG and reconfigured for executive use, after which it was stored on and off for several years before joining the Argentine Presidential Flight.  

ARG-01 replaces another 757-200, T-01, c/n 25487/470, which was delivered factory-direct to Argentina on 22Jul92 and flew for the Presidential Flight until 2014 when it was grounded due to ongoing mechanical issues, the most serious of which was an engine fire on 19Oct04.    

Prior to purchasing ARG-01, the Argentine government reportedly considered buying the Mexican government's presidential 787-8, TP-01, c/n 40695/6, which Mexico was selling due to its controversial high initial cost, but the Argentine government apparently desisted due to the still-high asking price of the aircraft, even being used, with the plane eventually being sold to Tajikistan. 

Finally, in late 2022, the C&L Aviation Group of Bangor, Maine USA arranged the sale of ARG-01 to Argentina for US$ 25 million minus a US$ 3 million trade-in credit for T-01 with the US$ 22 million balance being financed over ten years.  Argentine government officials claim that the aircraft will last 35 years, so it is worth the price.

Delivery of ARG-01 was held up for several months because a government committee that traveled to inspect the aircraft in late 2022 found 54 deficiencies of time-expired equipment or with less than half of their authorized life remaining, ranging from windshield wipers to all 39 oxygen masks, requiring the update of these and other items.      

ARG-01 passenger cabin features include: 
  • Bedroom suite with a queen-size bed and ensuite bathroom
  • Main salon with seating for 12
  • Two other meeting rooms with seating for six each that can be converted to bedroom suites 
  • Rear cabin seating for 12
  • Seating capacity for 39 passengers overall
The aircraft has a range of 11,500km (7,150 miles) / 14 hours flying time, enough for nonstop flights to the US and Europe. 

ARG-01 was painted by 1 Vision Aviation of Salina, Kansas with Republica Argentina titles and in a color scheme resembling an Argentine flag superimposed on the fuselage from nose to tail in alternating light blue and white "waves" with the sun of the flag on both the tail and on the belly between the undercarriages.

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Friday, May 26, 2023

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas' second 737-800F delivered to Argentina on 20May23


Aerolineas Argentinas' second converted pure-freighter 737-800F, LV-KHQ (c/n 30571/936) flew from  Dothan (DHN) Alabama USA via Punta Cana (PUJ) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), arriving in the very early morning hours of 20May23, joining sistership LV-CTC (c/n 30570/879), which the airline took delivery of earlier this year and placed into service in early May operating contract flights from Tierra del Fuego for electrical goods manufacturer Mirgor S.A. (see http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2023/05/fleet-update-aerolineas-argentinas.html)

LV-KHQ was originally delivered as a passenger aircraft to VARIG in 2001, going on to fly for Gol, Meridiana, Airitaly, and Neos before being stored in 2020 and converted to a pure freighter by Commercial Jet, an Aeronautical Engineers Inc. conversion center located at the Dothan (DHN) Regional Airport in Alabama.     

LV-KHQ arrived in Argentina in an all-white "color" scheme but is expected to be painted shortly in the same livery as sistership LV-CTC, which is a modified scheme from the Aerolineas passenger aircraft.  The aircraft will primarily serve the same customer as LV-CTC, Mirgor S.A., but will also be available for freight charters at other times.       

Detailed description of the conversion from the Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. website is reproduced below:  https://www.aeronautical-engineers.com/b737-800sf

The Aeronautical Engineers Inc. (AEI) B737-800SF Cargo Conversion consists of the installation of a 86" x 137" cargo door on the left side of the fuselage, and modification of main deck to a Class E cargo compartment.  After conversion the aircraft can carry eleven 88" x 125" AAA full height containers or pallets plus one AEP/AEH, with pallet weights up to 9,000 lbs. AEI's B737-800SF is now ETOPS 180 approved.
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AEI's cargo door has earned a reputation of being the most robust and reliable in the conversion industry.  The cargo door is hydraulically operated and actuated from the inside of the aircraft by a independent system.  Hydraulic pressure is available from two sources: a 28VDC electrically operated hydraulic pump or a manual hand pump.  The door control and manual pump are located on the 9g barrier, allowing a single person to operate the door manually.

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Main Attributes

  • Can accommodate eleven 88"x125" AAA full height containers or pallets plus one AEP/AEH

  • Up to 52,700 LB (23,904 KG) Main Deck Payload (depending on Model & Aircraft Weight Limits)

  • Reinforced Floor structure for highest average position weights in industry

  • 86" x 140" cargo door

  • Single Vent Door System

  • High reliability, 28VDC, independent cargo door hydraulic system

  • Cabin windows replaced with lightweight aluminum window plugs

  • 9g rigid cargo / smoke barrier with sliding door

  • Relocated DFDR for 84.5" + ceiling height through out cargo compartment, including last position

  • Stretch Formed fuselage skins

  • 5 Supernumerary Seats


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Tuesday, May 23, 2023

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas A330-243 LV-KHT arrives in Argentina, fleet at nine A330-200s


Aerolineas Argentinas' latest acquisition, A330-243, LV-KHT (c/n 1191), landed at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) at 6:55am on the morning of 21May23 on its delivery flight from the Mojave (MZJ), Arizona, USA aircraft storage facility.

Sister ship LV-KHU (c/n 1223), also an A330-243, is scheduled for delivery in the near future.  

Both aircraft were originally delivered to South African Airways in 2011 before being returned to lessor Air Castle in 2020.  With these two new additions, Aerolineas Argentinas' A330 fleet will once again reach the peak of ten A330's that it had in 2017.  This will allow the airline to increase service from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Madrid (MAD) (12x/weekly) and Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) (5x/weekly) in July of this year.  The A330's will reportedly also replace Aerolineas' 737 MAX 8's on service from EZE to Punta Cana (PUJ) and Havana (HAV) plus add frequency to Cancun (CUN) (4x/weekly) and Miami (MIA) (10x/weekly).  

Interestingly, LV-KHT and LV-KHU are both powered by Rolls Royce Trent 77DB-60 engines, which reportedly allow for higher takeoff weights and greater range, compared to the eight A330-202/203 that they are joining, which have General Electric CF6-80E1A3/4 powerplants with lower maximum takeoff weights.  Aerolineas' original four A330-223's were powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4168A engines making for a total of three different manufacturers equipping the carrier's A330 fleet over the years, which is unusual because the lack of uniformity usually leads to higher maintenance costs.      

Sources:

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Saturday, May 20, 2023

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas A330-200 - Brief History 2013-2023 & Latest News

Aerolineas Argentinas A330-202, LV-FVH (c/n 1605), in special 2022 World Cup scheme featuring vinyl lacquer stickers with the images of Lionel Messi, other star Argentine players and the team's official Adidas game jersey at Madrid (MAD) on 12Oct22. (Photo: Lanzarote Spotter - Jesus M. de Leon) 

Aerolineas Argentinas has operated several types of aircraft on its long haul / intercontinental routes, including in the jet age - the de Havilland Comet 4, Boeing 707 / 747 (200, 400 and SP) and Airbus A310 / A340, followed by the introduction of the Airbus A330 in 2013.

The airline has operated 12 A330's so far with details below:

Four Used A330-223's delivered in 2013 and 2014 

Aerolineas Argentinas' first four A330's were all -223 models. 

Two of these aircraft, LV-FNI (c/n 290) and LV-FNJ (c/n 300), were first delivered to SABENA in 1999 with both going on to fly for VG Airlines and Malaysia Airlines before joining Aerolineas in September 2013 and June 2014, respectively.   

The other two A330-223's, LV-FNK (c/n 358) and LV-FNL (c/n 364), were originally delivered to Air Afrique in 2000 and proceeded to serve an identical sequence of operators; Calliope, Eurofly, Atlas Jet, Saudi Arabian, and Atlas Jet again before going on to Aerolineas in November and December 2013, respectively. 

The A330-223's were used on the airline's long haul routes in the Americas, such as Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Miami (MIA), New York Kennedy (JFK), Punta Cana (PUJ) and Cancun (CUN), but they did not have enough range to fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to the European points on Aerolineas' scheduled route network, such as Madrid (MAD) and Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), with a full passenger and cargo payload.  So, the airline's A340-300 fleet, which still consisted of seven airframes in 2015, continued to cover the carrier's European routes. 

Four New A330-202 Deliveries directly from the Airbus Factory in 2015 and 2016

Aerolineas Argentinas placed an order with Airbus for four new factory-fresh A330-202's on 12Feb14 powered by General Electric CF6-80E1A4 engines to be delivered in 2015 and 2016.  The second generation of A330's for Aerolineas had the range to fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Rome-Fiumicino (FCO), the longest nonstop sector on the carrier's route network, enabling Aerolineas to start planning the retirement of its last A340's. 

LV-FVH (c/n 1605) was delivered to Aerolineas on 28Feb15.  This is the aircraft that was decorated in the special 2022 World Cup scheme pictured at the top of this posting, which also flew the Argentine national men's football / soccer team home from Doha, Qatar as the recently victorious World Champions.   

LV-FVI (c/n 1623) was delivered to Aerolineas on 30Apr15.

LV-GHQ (c/n 1737) was delivered to Aerolineas on 05Aug16.

LV-GIF (c/n 1748) was delivered to Aerolineas on 02Nov16.

With the above aircraft deliveries, Aerolineas' A330 fleet stood at a total of eight aircraft.

Two Used A330-203 Deliveries in 2016 and 2017 

LV-GKO (c/n 587), which was originally delivered to EVA Air of Taiwan in 2004, joined the Aerolineas fleet on 13Sep16 on lease from AirCastle. 

LV-GKP (c/n 634), which was also originally delivered to EVA Air in 2004, joined the Aerolineas fleet on 10Feb17 on lease from AirCastle. 
  
These new additions brought Aerolineas' A330 fleet to a total of ten aircraft in 2017.

This set the stage for Aerolineas to retire its final two A340-300's, LV-FPV (c/n 193) and LV-FPU (c/n 170) in December 2019 and February 2020, respectively. 

Two More Used A330-202 Deliveries in 2022

LV-KAN (c/n 877), which was first delivered to TAP Air Portugal in 2007, joined the Aerolineas fleet on 13Apr22. 

LV-KAO (c/n 899), which was first delivered to TAP Air Portugal in 2008, joined the Aerolineas fleet on 18Jul22.  

During the same time period, Aerolineas stored its four original A330-223's LV-FNI (c/n 290), LV-FNJ (c/n 300), LV-FNK (c/n 358) and LV-FNL (c/n 364) in 2021 / 2022 and progressively returned them to their lessors with the last airframe, LV-FNK, departing the fleet in October 2022, leaving the carrier with a total fleet of eight A330-202/203 at the end of 2022. 

In addition to its international long-haul destinations, Aerolineas has used its A330-200 fleet on domestic flights to heavily traveled touristic destinations, such as Bariloche (BRC), El Calafate (FTE), Puerto Iguazu (IGR), and Ushuaia (USH) during their respective high seasons. 

Typical A330 utilization by Aerolineas is approx. 4,000 flight hours per aircraft, per year with an average of 9.5 hours / cycle.  

Aerolineas has always operated its Buenos Aires A330 services out of Ezeiza (EZE) airport although with the extension and widening of the runway at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) during its pandemic closure in 2020, the smaller city airport can now accommodate A330's flying to Miami (MIA), which it appears will become a reality in the coming months.  To the best of your editor's knowledge, no A330 has ever taken off or landed at Aeroparque. 

STOP THE PRESSES !  

Aerolineas Argentinas' latest acquisition, A330-243, LV-KHT (c/n 1191) is enroute at the time of this blog posting, from the Marana (MZJ) Arizona storage facility in the United States to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) with an expected arrival on the morning of 21May23.  

Sister ship LV-KHU (c/n 1223), also an A330-243, is scheduled for delivery in the near future.  Both aircraft were originally delivered to South African Airways in 2011 before being returned to lessor Air Castle in 2020.  With these two new additions, Aerolineas Argentinas' A330 fleet will once again reach the peak of ten A330's that it had in 2017.  This will allow the airline to increase service from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Madrid (MAD) (12x/weekly) and Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) (5x/weekly) in July of this year.   

Special thanks to Jesus M. de Leon for permission to use the heading photo. 

Sources:

https://lanzarotespotter.wordpress.com/2022/10/12/lv-fvh-aerolineas-argentinas-airbus-a330-202/
http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2017/03/fleet-update-aerolineas-argentinas-took.html
http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/aerolineas-argentinas-to-make-decision.html
http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2020/12/aerolineas-argentinas-a330-200-departs.html
https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/05/aerolineas-argentinas-abre-concurso-para-incorporar-dos-airbus-a330-200/
https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/10/sueno-en-marcha-aerolineas-argentinas-presento-su-avion-del-mundial/
https://www.aviacionline.com/2022/11/aerolineas-argentinas-made-a-new-special-flight-to-paris/
https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2023/05/aerolineas-argentinas-recibe-un-airbus-330/
https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas.htm
aviacionnews.com 14May20
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