FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 fleet history - six still operating (photos)

Aerolineas Argentinas has operated a total of 22 737-700's with 14 having left the fleet and 8 still with the carrier.

* 14 Retired 737-700's

Of Aerolineas' 14 retired airframes, 9 were originally delivered to Virgin Blue and 4 to EasyJet, with all 13 aircraft leaving the Boeing factory in the 2000-2001 timeframe.  Aerolineas took delivery of these planes between 2009-2012 with all of them going on to Southwest between 2016-2018. 

One airframe had a different career path from those above, having first been  delivered to Sky Airlines (Turkey) before joining Aerolineas and continuing on to Chrono Aviation (presumably the Canadian charter airline) in 2021.   

* 8 737-700's still in the Fleet

      

Two 737-700's are stored at the airline's Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) base:

* LV-BYY (33938/2863) presumably still in the pre-2010 color scheme  

* LV-CBF (32696/1922) presumably still in the pre-2010 color scheme 

Aerolineas Argentinas still flies six 737-700's:

* Two in the pre-2010 color scheme with a white fuselage and solid dark blue tail

* Two in the current 2010 livery 

* One in Skyteam colors

* One in the 1970's retro "AA" two-tone blue livery

These aircraft are pictured below with accompanying comments profiling their histories:  

LV-CAP (32695/1919) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 31Jan23 in Aerolineas Argentinas' pre-2010 color scheme with a white fuselage and solid dark blue tail.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft was first delivered to SkyEurope (Slovakia) in 2006, continuing on to Aerolineas on 01Oct09.  It is leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).  

 

LV-CBT (34756/2208) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 16Dec21, also in Aerolineas' pre-2010 color scheme.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft was first delivered to SkyEurope (Slovakia) in 2007, continuing on to Aerolineas on 28Nov09.  It is also leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).  

LV-BZO (32676/1974) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in Aerolineas' current 2010 livery on an intermittently foggy 26Aug22.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

This aircraft was first delivered to SkyEurope (Slovakia) in 2006, continuing on to Aerolineas on 25Jun09.  It is also leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

LV-CAD (32680/2089) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 31Jan23 in the current 2010 livery.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

This aircraft was first delivered to SkyEurope (Slovakia) in 2006, continuing on to Aerolineas on 25Jul09.  It is also leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

LV-BZA (32674/1952) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 31Jan23 in Skyteam colors.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

This aircraft was first delivered to SkyEurope (Slovakia) in 2006, continuing on to Aerolineas on 06Jun09.  It is also leased from General Electric Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).

LV-GOO (35962/2932) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 28Aug22 in Aerolineas' 1970's retro "AA" two-tone blue livery.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft was apparently factory-delivered new to Aerolineas Argentinas on 24Jun09, having orginally been slated to join AirTran but it was NTU (Not Taken Up) by the US carrier, probably due to AirTran's merger with Southwest and the likely differences with Southwest's 737-700's that would have resulted. 

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina acquires 737-700 for transport role

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina recently acquired a 737-700 to fulfill the role of military transport and possibly perform services on behalf of the state-run airline Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) serving the Patagonia energy / wilderness region, replacing to a degree the FAA's F-28 fleet which has been almost entirely retired. 

The aircraft, 737-76N (c/n 33420/1459) flew from Mexico City, where it had  undergone maintenance and preparations for service with the FAA, to Lima (LIM) and finally the FAA airbase at El Palomar (EPA), arriving on 27Apr21.  

The new addition joined the Fuerza Aerea Argentina 1st Aerial Brigade, 1st Transport Group, where it was assigned the FAA registration, T-99. 

T-99 was originally delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in 2004 and went on to fly with SAS Scandinavian Airlines before being stored in November 2020 and sold to the FAA.  

T-99 has already operated some flights, including from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) recently.  

The links below show some photos and video of the aircraft upon arriving at El Palomar (EPA):

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2021/04/llega-el-737-para-la-fuerza-aerea.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/04/llego-a-buenos-aires-el-nuevo-boeing-737-700-de-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina/     

ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina "Regular" Flights Restart - #1 of 4 - Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) Departures - Week of 07-13Dec

Regularly scheduled airline services came to an abrupt halt in Argentina on 20Mar20 with only "special" flights operated, mostly for the repatriation of both Argentines stranded overseas and foreigners marooned in Argentina, until 22Oct20 when "regular" flights were resumed. 

Many special cargo flights were also operated (and continue to be flown), such as at least sixteen Aerolineas Argentinas flights to Shanghai, China that brought back to Argentina massive numbers of masks, gowns and other equipment to be used in the fight against COVID-19.     

The resumption of "regular" flights in October was exclusively out of Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) because the capital's two other airports were and still are closed.  

Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) is not operational due to the airfield's sole runway being resurfaced and extended (work scheduled to be finished in March/April) and the reopening of Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) was deemed inefficient costwise, considering that Ezeiza is operating well below capacity, so EPA's two carriers, Flybondi and Jetsmart, have been directed to fly out of EZE, at least for now. 

At first, only about a dozen "regular" flights per day flew out of EZE but this increased significantly to an average of 47 daily departures during the week of 07-13Dec with a total of 332 flights being operated by all airlines from EZE during that period.  

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-BZA (c/n 32674/1952), taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 19Dec18 in special "Skyteam" colors.  This aircraft is one of four 737-700's currently being flown by Aerolineas with the carrier having four more parked out of service since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  (Phil Perry Photo)    

Aerolineas Argentinas

Aerolineas operated 192 of the flights out of EZE that week with 157 being domestic and 35 being international. 

Domestic Destinations - By Most Number of Flights - Week of 07-13Dec

With Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) out of use for a few months, Argentine domestic flights are being operated out of EZE.  Being the national flag carrier, Aerolineas Argentinas is naturally flying most of these:

* Cordoba (COR) - Argentina's second-largest city received the most flights from EZE with 19 departures from the airport during the week in question with most of the flights being operated by 737-800's complemented by a few E-190's and even one 737-700 (AR is operating four out eight 737-700's in its fleet, LV-BZA, LV-CAP, LV-BYY and LV-GOO with the others parked since March 2020).

* Bariloche (BRC) - 18 flights all operated with 737-800

* Mendoza (MDZ) - 15 flights with 12 operated by 737-800 and 3 with E-190

* Tucuman (TUC) - 11 flights flown by a combination of 737-700 and E-190

* Neuquen (NQN) - 10 flights with nearly all of them flown by 737-800

* Salta (SLA) - 8 flights, also with nearly all of them flown by 737-800  

* Ushuaia (USH) - 8 flights, also with nearly all of them flown by 737-800  

* Trelew (REL) - 6 flights, all with E-190

* Jujuy (JUJ) - 5 flights, all with E-190                                                        

* Posadas (PSS) - 5 flights, all with E-190                                                    

* Resistencia (RES) - 5 flights, all with E-190         

* Corrientes (CNQ) - 4 flights, all with E-190                                                

* Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) - 4 flights, all with 737-800                           

* Mar del Plata (MDQ) - 4 flights, all with E-190

* Puerto Iguazu (IGR) - 3 flights, all with 737-800      

* Rio Gallegos (RGL) - 3 flights, all with 737-800       

* Bahia Blanca (BHI) - 3 flights, all with E-190

* Rosario (ROS) - 3 flights, all with E-190

* Santiago del Estero (SDE) - 3 flights, all with E-190

* San Juan (UAQ) - 3 flights, all with E-190

* El Calafate (FTE) - 2 flights operated by a 737-800 and 737-700 

* La Rioja (IRJ) / Catamarca (CTC) - 2 flights, both with E-190   

* San Luis (LUQ) - 2 flights, both with E-190

* Santa Fe (SFN) - 2 flights, both with E-190    

* San Rafael (AFA) - 1 flight with E-190

* Catamarca (CTC) - 1 flight with E-190

* Esquel (EQS) - 1 flight with E-190

* Parana (PRA) - 1 flight with E-190

* Rio Grande (RGA) - 1 flight with 737-800

* Santa Rosa (RSA) - 1 flight with E-190

* Viedma (VDM) - 1 flight with E-190

Aerolineas Argentinas

International Destinations - Week of 07-13Dec

Latin America

* Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - 7 flights, all with 737-800

* Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 6 flights, nearly all with 737-800

* Asuncion (ASU) - 5 flights, all with 737-800

* Santiago (SCL) - 5 flights, all with 737-800

* Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) - 2 flights, both with 737-800

* Bogota (BOG) - 1 flight with A330-200

* Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - 1 flight, probably by 737-800 (appears to have been a "special" flight)

Intercontnental

* Miami (MIA) - 5 flights, all with A300-200

* Paris - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) -  1 flight, probably by A330-200 (appears to have been "a special" flight)

* Madrid (MAD) - 1 flight with A330-200  

Presumably more flights will be added during the course of 2021 until a full flight schedule has been resumed, although that might take a couple of years depending on the economic and pandemic situations. 

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.flightstats.com

https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-b737ng.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-GOO, painted in retro "double AA" 1975 color scheme

In celebration of the carrier's 70th anniversary and following the worldwide trend of recent decades of airlines painting select aircraft in their fleets in historic color schemes, Aerolineas Argentinas recently painted 737-700, LV-GOO (c/n 35962/2932), in the carrier's 1975 "double AA" two-tone blue color scheme.  This is the same scheme that the airline's F-28, 727-200, 747-200 and MD-80 fleets first appeared in.   

  

LV-GOO was painted in the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FADEA) hangar at the facility's airfield southwest of Cordoba city.  

Multiple photos of the aircraft upon application of the retro color scheme:

Photos: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 LV-GOO in 1975 double AA retro colors

YouTube video of the completed paint job:

Video: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 LV-GOO in 1975 double AA retro colors

Source:

https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/09/video-fotogaleria-el-boeing-737-livery-retro-de-aerolineas-argentinas-presentado-oficialmente/

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retired 737-700 LV-CYO in late 2017

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CYO (c/n 30633/1220), taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 07Aug16.  (Phil Perry Photo)

The above aircraft left the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet on 01Nov16 when it departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) for Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, Washington USA for eventual delivery to Southwest Airlines as N7867A (the aircraft has yet to enter service with the carrier as of this writing).  Every former Aerolineas 737-700 has gone on to join Southwest.

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/11/aerolineas-argentinas-novedades.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30633.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retires two 737-700's LV-CYJ + LV-CYN

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CYJ (c/n 30647/1159), taxis in at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 10Dec15. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CYN (c/n 30648/1171), taxis out at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 21Jun16. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas recently retired two 737-700's from its fleet; 737-7Q8, LV-CYJ (c/n 30647/1159) which departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 15Aug17 to Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, Washington via intermediate stops in Punta Cana (PUJ) and Miami (MIA) and 737-7Q8, LV-CYN (c/n 30648/1171), which left Ezeiza on 02Sep17 also to Paine Field via PUJ and MIA.

LV-CYJ has already joined the fleet of Southwest Airlines (as has every other ex-Aerolineas 737-700) as N7865A and LV-CYN is also scheduled to join Southwest in the near future.  This leaves Aerolineas with a fleet of nine 737-700's after peaking at 22 of the type in recent years. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/08/mas-novedades-en-aerolineas.html
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/Boeing/737/N7865A-Southwest-Airlines/k6E8TBPq
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/07/roll-out-n-334-fleet-list.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/aerolineas-devolvio-otro-avion.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retires its 11th 737-700, LV-CXN

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CXN (c/n 30638/858), taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 06Aug16.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

The above pictured aircraft left the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet on 13Jul17 when it departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Paine Field (PAE) in Washington state, USA where it arrived the following day.  
   
Aerolineas has operated a total of 22 737-700's with eleven still in the fleet. All ten 737-700's that it has retired have gone on to serve with Southwest Airlines and LV-CXN will soon join them flying for the Texas-based carrier. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/07/otro-mas-devuelto-por-aerolineas.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retires 737-7Q8 LV-CVX, going to Southwest

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CVX (c/n 30641/1080), lands at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 07Aug16.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas retired the above aircraft on 04May17 when it departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Paine Field (PAE) in Everett, Washington, USA with intermediate stops in Punta Cana (PUJ) and Miami (MIA).   

The 737-700 will join Southwest Airlines as have several other retired Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700's recently.  It was photographed in Seattle (SEA) on 26May17 sporting its new registration N7859B still in Aerolineas colors but with its titles painted over:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/05/antes-volamos-con-aerolineas.html

LV-CVX's departure leaves Aerolineas with 13 737-700's in its fleet, all of which will be retired as they are replaced by new 737-800's entering the Argentine national carrier's fleet. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/05/otro-mas-que-se-devolvio.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas continues to retire its 737-700 Fleet

LV-CSC taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 20Jun14. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Aerolineas Argentinas' 737-700's continue to leave its fleet with all of them going to Southwest Airlines in the United States so far, according to airfleets.net.  

The most recent -700 to finish flying with Aerolineas is LV-CSC (c/n 30630/1032) which flew its last commercial flight with the carrier on 25Dec16, Christmas Day.  After undergoing checks and preparations the aircraft flew to the United States on 08Feb17 to join Southwest.   

LV-CSC was delivered to Virgin Blue Airlines on 17Dec01 flying with the carrier and its successor Virgin Australia until joining Aerolineas on 25Feb12.

Aerolineas Argentinas' 737-700 fleet is being replaced with factory-new 737-800's.

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/01/uno-viene-otro-se-va.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/02/novedades-en-aerolineas-argentinas.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-history-b737ng.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30630.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas returned to lessor one of the two 737-700's that was painted in special World Cup Scheme

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CSI (c/n 30707/975), taxis out for takeoff at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14 wearing a special 2014 World Cup scheme featuring stickers of Argentine football stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain plus the legend "Gracias Argentina" after the team's appearance in the final game.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft departed Ezeiza on 09Nov16 on return to the lessor and will soon join the fleet of Southwest Airlines like numerous other ex-Aerolineas 737-700's. LV-CSI was originally delivered to Virgin Blue of Australia on 17Oct01 where it flew for ten years before transferring to Aerolineas on 25Nov11.  

This is one of the two Aerolineas 737-700's that flew in the special 2014 World Cup scheme (the other being LV-CPH c/n 28238/817).  Prior to the games, the legend said "Vamos Argentina" (Let's Go Argentina) which was changed to "Gracias Argentina" (Thank you Argentina) after the tournament's conclusion. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/11/nuevo-ochocientos-ochenta-y-siete.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30707.htm      

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8 LV-CMK (c/n 28240/832), leaves fleet, to join Southwest Airlines

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CMK (c/n 28240/832), taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 14Aug14.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-CMK left Argentina on 02Jun16 on a Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Caracas (CCS) - Miami (MIA) - Boeing Paine Field (PAE) routing.  The aircraft will join five other ex-Aerolineas 737-700's that have gone to Southwest Airlines:

ex LV-CBG - (c/n 30235/672) - now N7838A

ex LV-CAM - (c/n 30243/919) - now N7839A

ex LV-CBS - (c/n 30236/715) - now N7840A 

ex LV-CCR - (c/n 30237/730) - now N7842A

ex LV-CPH - (c/n 28238/817) - now N7850A

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/06/aerolineas-argentinas-novedades.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-28240.htm

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CPH (c/n 28238/817), leaves fleet to Southwest Airlines

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CPH, taxiing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 11Oct15.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-CPH (c/n 28238/817), departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 14May16 to Boeing Field (BFI) via Caracas (CCS). 

The aircraft will soon join Southwest Airlines as have at least four other former Aerolineas' 737-700's; LV-CBG (c/n 30235/672), LV-CAM (c/n 30243/919), LV-CBS (c/n 30236/715) and LV-CCR (c/n 30237/730).

See this link:

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com.ar/2016/04/fleet-update-aerolineas-argentinas_10.html

Southwest Airlines has been adding many used 737-700's from other airlines recently, including from WestJet, Oman Air, AeroMexico and Transaero.  It plans to acquire at last 83 used 737-700's as an economical way of replacing some of the older aircraft in its fleet, such as its still large fleet of over 100 737-300's and the 717's that left to Delta Air Lines.     

Sources:

http://www.airfleets.net/home/
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3263307156497674194&postID=3996010258822912121
http://aeropacific.blogspot.com.ar/2016/05/from-russia-to-love-southwest-other-us.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas returned four 737-700's to lessor GECAS in late 2015 / early 2016

LV-CBG at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14, approximately one year before it left AR's fleet.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-CAM at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 20Sep10.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-CBS at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 20Sep10.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LV-CCR taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 22Jan11, a beautiful sunny summer day.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas returned four 737-700's (all pictured above) to lessor GECAS in late 2015 and early 2016.

All are 737-73V models that were delivered to EasyJet in 2000/2001 passing on to Aerolineas Argentinas in 2009/2010 and all four have been or will be delivered soon to Southwest Airlines of the USA.  Aerolineas will be returning many 737-700's to lessors as they come off lease in the next couple of years with a total of ten of them going to Southwest.  

Return flight details:

LV-CBG (c/n 30235/672) left the airline's fleet on its return flight to the USA on 10Nov15 where it was stored for a couple of months prior to delivery to Southwest Airlines on 08Jan16 as N7838A.  
LV-CAM (c/n 30243/919), departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 30Nov15. GECAS will reportedly deliver the aircraft to Southwest Airlines registered as N7839A soon.

LV-CBS (c/n 30236/715), departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 17Dec15 and was delivered by GECAS to Southwest Airlines on 29Jan16 as N7840A.

LV-CCR (c/n 30237/730), left Argentina on 29Jan16 and will join Southwest as N7842A soon.

Al of the delivery flights apparently followed a Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Caracas (CCS) - Miami (MIA) - Boeing Paine Field (PAE) routing. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2015/11/aerolineas-argentinas-primer-boeing.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2015/11/aerolineas-se-fue-el-lv-cam.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2015/12/aerolineas-argentinas-otra-devolucion.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/01/devolucion-del-lv-ccr.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30235.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30243.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30236.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30237.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas operates sporadic flights from Mendoza (MDZ) and Trelew (REL) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU)

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CMK (c/n 28240/832) operated the inaugural Trelew (REL) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) flight on 18Oct14. It is seen here landing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 14Aug14. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas recently tried some flights from "interior" points of Argentina, specifically Mendoza (MDZ) and Trelew (REL) directly to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), bypassing the usual connections through Buenos Aires.  The flights were promoted as a joint initiative with the provinces of Mendoza and city of Trelew, respectively. 

Only nine flights were operated from Mendoza (MDZ) during the June - August period after which they were cancelled due to light loads.  

The Trelew (REL) flights were reportedly operated in October and November to coincide with the whale-watching season in the hopes of bringing Brazilian tourists directly to the region.

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140911/avn-140911.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn141023/avn-141023.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-b737ng.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Austral was due to start Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) flights on 02Jul14

Aerolineas Argentinas' sister airline, Austral Lineas Aereas, was due to start 4x/weekly Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Cruz, Bolivia (VVI) flights on 02Jul14 using its Embraer 190's but this service apparently had not started yet as of 26Jul14.  Aerolineas Argentinas was slated to take over the flights in August with 737-700's. 

Santa Cruz (VVI) would be the ninth international destination served from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) joining Montevideo (MVD) and Punta del Este (PDP) in Uruguay, Asuncion (ASU) and Santiago (SCL) plus the Brazilian airports of Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), Florianopolis (FLN), and Porto Alegre (POA).

Prior to the opening of Aeroparque to increased regional international destinations in 2010 only Montevideo (MVD) and Punta del Este (PDP) were served from the downtown airport.  

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140612/avn-140612.html

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas operated seasonal winter flights from Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Mendoza (MDZ)

Aerolineas Argentinas flew 1x/weekly flights on Sundays from Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Mendoza (MDZ) from 22Jun14 to 11Aug14 using 737-700's. An extra section was also scheduled to operate on Thursday, 19Jun14.  The main purpose of the flights is to bring Brazilian skiers to the Argentine ski resorts along the Andes Mountain range near Mendoza.   

These flights bring to five the number of Argentine airports with direct flights to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU); Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Rosario (ROS) and now Mendoza (MDZ).  

Sources:

http://airlineroute.net/2014/04/28/ar-mdzgru-jun14/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140501/avn-140501.html

News from May: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 left winglet clips right horizontal stabilizer of an Aerolineas 737-800

LV-CPH takes off at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 11Feb12.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CPH, (c/n 28238/817) clipped the right horizontal stabilizer of sistership 737-81D, LV-CXS, (c/n 39425/4167) with its left wingtip while taxiing in to the gate at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 10May14.  

Photo:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/y-si-le-ponen-topetinas.html

It was the third such incident at AEP in the last six months.  

Previously, Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CYO (c/n 30633/1220) struck Austral Embraer 190, LV-CIE, (c/n 19000414) on 07Nov13 with its right wingtip colliding with the left horizontal stabilizer of the 190. 

Photo:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2013/11/aerolineas-la-pega.html

LV-BET taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 11Feb12.  (Phil Perry Photo)

And GOL 737-8EH, PR-GGO (c/n 35828/3025) collided with LAN Argentina A320-233, LV-BET, (c/n 1854) on 04Mar14, another case of a wingtip striking a winglet.  This last incident resulted in a new A320 horizontal stabilizer being flown into Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on an Antonov AN-124 to replace the damaged one on the LAN aircraft. 

Photo:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/03/otro-incidente-en-aeroparque.html

Aerolineas Argentinas aircraft had similar collisions internationally when AR A340-300's hit an Air France 777-300 in Miami (MIA) in January 2013 and an Avianca A330-200 in Caracas (CCS) in November 2013.

Photos:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/airbusaurio-de-ar-se-topa-con-777-de.html

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2013/11/aerolineas-tiene-buena-punteria.html

Sources:  As above and
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140515/avn-140515.html

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-CSI, sticker changed to "Gracias Argentina"

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-CSI, (c/n 30707/975), one of two aircraft painted in a special World Cup scheme (the other is LV-CPH, c/n 28238/817) had its "Vamos Argentina" stickers changed to "Gracias Argentina" on both sides of the aircraft on 13Jul14, just prior to the World Cup final match between Argentina and Germany. 

View of the left side:

 
Photographer Unknown 

View of the right side:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2014/07/cambiaron-el-ploteo-al-737-mundialista-de-aerolineas/

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas adds 10 Flights from Buenos Aires to Sao Paulo for World Cup semifinal against Holland on 09Jul14

Aerolineas Argentinas added seven extra sections from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and three from Ezeiza (EZE) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) on 08Jul14 and 09Jul14 for the World Cup semifinal game of the Argentine national team against Holland.  All of the flights are scheduled to return on 10Jul14, some of them shortly after midnight not too long after the game is over.  The AEP flights will all be operated by 737-700's but at least one of the flights from EZE will be operated by an A340.  

These flights are in addition to the normal 20 or so flights between Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) operated each day by Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral, LAN Argentina, GOL, TAM and even Qatar Airways and Turkish.  Additionally, TAM flies from Rosario (ROS) and both GOL and TAM fly from Cordoba (COR) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU).  

Below is an advertisement that appeared with details on the extra flights:   

Sources:

http://www.aeropuertosarg.com.ar/2014/07/aerolineas-argentinas-suma-10-vuelos-extra-a-san-pablo-para-las-semifinales/aerolineas-sp-89jul/

http://www.minutouno.com/notas/328694-aerolineas-argentinas-dispuso-vuelos-especiales-san-pablo-el-partido-argentina-semis

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2014/07/aerolineas-argentinas-suma-10-vuelos-a-san-pablo-para-el-9-de-julio/comment-page-1/

PHOTO GALLERY: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 in special World Cup scheme

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CPH (c/n 28238 LN:817) in special World Cup scheme rotates at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 20Jun14.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas painted two 737-700's in identical special World Cup schemes featuring stickers of the AFA (Asociacion de Futbol Argentino), three of Argentina's best soccer players; Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona, Sergio Aguero of Manchester City and Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli plus "Vamos Argentina" (Let's Go Argentina) titles.

The first 737-7Q8 to be painted was LV-CSI (c/n 30707 LN:975) which rolled out of the hangar around 30May14 followed by LV-CPH on approx. 08Jun14. Both aircraft were originally delivered to Virgin Blue Airlines in 2001.

Sources:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/la-seleccion-tiene-su-avion.html

http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-28238.htm

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/el-segundo-boeing-737-con-los-colores.html