ROUTE UPDATES: January 2024 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, COPA, Flybondi, Gol, Jetsmart Argentina

Route Updates - January 2024 - 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) - Montevideo (MVD) - 02Jan24 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly -Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until end of March

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 02Jan24 - 737-800 - 3x/weekly -Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 18Feb24

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 01Jan24 - 737-800 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until mid-February

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - Montevideo (MVD) - 03Jan24 - E-190 -  2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 03Mar23 - SERVICE CANCELLED although it appears to have operated at least one flight

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Mendoza (MDZ) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 03Jan24 - 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until mid-February

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Resistencia (RES) - Puerto Iguazu (IGR) - 03Jan24 - E-190 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 03Mar24

* Aeromexico - Mexico City (MEX) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 12Jan24 - 787-8, 787-9 - 2x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/daily to 2x/daily until 17Feb24 

* COPA - Panama City (PTY) - Cordoba (COR) - 01Jan24 - 737-800 - 2x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal Summer increase in frequency from 11x/weekly for January only

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - 01Jan24 - 737-800 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 03Mar24 but was extended until xxMay24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Brasilia (BSB) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 02Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 04Feb24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Florianopolis (FLN) - Cordoba (COR) - 01Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 13Feb24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Florianopolis (FLN) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 01Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 15x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service with 15x/weekly in January and 7x/weekly in March until 01Apr24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Fortaleza (FOR) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 03Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 14Feb24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Maceio (MCZ) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) or Ezeiza (EZE) ? - 04Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/weekly

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Natal (NAT) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 02Jan24 - 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Additional frequency to the existing 1x/weekly flight via João Pessoa (JPA) 

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Navegantes (NVT) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 03Jan24 - 737-800 - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service with 5x/weekly flights until 17Feb24, followed by 3x/weekly service until 30Mar24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Porto Seguro (BPS) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 06Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 31Mar24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Recife (REC) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 04Jan24 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 03Apr24 complementing year-round 1x/weekly flights to AEP

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 02Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 9x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 15Feb24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - Rosario (ROS) - 02Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: 

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 05Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service with frequency reducing to 1x/weekly in mid-February and March. Service complements year-round 1x/weekly flights to AEP

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Cordoba (COR) - 02Jan24 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: 

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Asuncion (ASU) - 07Jan24 - A320-200 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 3x/weekly

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Jujuy (JUJ) - xxJan24 - A320-200 - 1x/daily - Remarks: 

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis (FLN) - approx. 17Jan24 - A320-200 - 9x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer increase in frequency from 7x/weekly, with a further increase to 10x/weekly in February, reduction to 7x/weekly in March and 5x/weekly after the summer. 

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rio de Janeiro (GIG) - approx. 17Jan24 - A320-200 - 17x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until first week of March when will be reduced to 2x/daily

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: February 2021 - Part 2 - Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways

Route Updates - February 2021 - Part 2

The Argentine Government's ANAC national aviation authority issued an order on 26Jan21 requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights from Argentina to Europe, Mexico and the United States by 30% and to Brazil by 50%, effective 01Feb21.

Aeromexico 

* Mexico City (MEX) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)

Reduced frequency from 7x/weekly to 5x/weekly, effective in February, still using 787-9.

Air France 

* Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Operating 2x/weekly pax/cargo flights using 787-9 plus 1x/weekly flight as cargo-only, both in February.

Alitalia

* Rome Fiumicino (FCO) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Suspended service until 01Jun21.

British Airways 

* London Heathrow (LHR) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Service will remain suspended until at least 16Apr21.

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina "Regular" Flights Restart - #3 of 4 - Other Latin American Carriers - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) Departures - Week of 07-13Dec

The text immediately below this introduction is repeated from previous posting "ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina "Regular" Flights Restart - #1 of 4 - Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) Departures - Week of 07-13Dec" to give context to the information regarding resumption of service by other Latin American carriers (non-Argentine) departing Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) in the second half of this posting: 

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.  

Avianca Colombia A330-200, N974AV (c/n 1208), at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 10Jan17.  The airline only has three A330-200's in service with a further three parked due to the pandemic.  (Phil Perry Photo)  

Services operated during the week of 07-13Dec:

Aeromexico - Operated 4 flights to Mexico City (MEX) using 787-9 - 3 weekly flights less than normal  

Avianca Colombia - Operated 3 flights to Bogota (BOG) using 787-8 - 3 weekly flights less than normal

Boliviana - 7 flights total (1x/daily) to Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) with 4 737-300 alternating with 3 767-300 - about normal  

COPA Panama - 7 flights total (1x/daily), all with 737-800 to Panama City (PTY) - normally operate 3x/daily 

LATAM Brazil - 7 flights operated with A320 to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - normally have about 28x/weekly

LATAM Chile - 11 flights operated with A320 to Santiago (SCL) - normally have about 33x/weekly (including flights that used to be operated by LATAM Argentina) 

LATAM Peru - 9 flights operated with A320 to Lima (LIM) - normally have about 21x/weekly (including flights that used to be operated by LATAM Argentina) 

Paranair - 3 flights flown by CRJ-200 to Asuncion (ASU) - about half of normal 

Sky Airline - 5 flights flown by A320neo to Santiago (SCL) - normally have about 14x/weekly 

Comments:

In normal times without a pandemic and also the economic consequences to the Argentine and world economies: 

* Flights between Buenos Aires and Santiago (SCL) typically totaled 65x/weekly with another 30x/weekly or so flights from other Argentine cities to SCL compared to only 21x/weekly currently being flown collectively between Aerolineas Argentinas, LATAM Chile and Sky Airline.

* Flights between Buenos Aires and Brazil typically totaled 145x/weekly to 14 airports with another 40x/weekly or so flights from other Argentine cities to Brazil compared to only 20x/weekly currently being flown collectively between Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM Brazil.  Normally there would also be flights by Azul and Gol.  The sharp reduction in flights reflects the lack of Argentines traveling to Brazilian beach areas.  

* Flights between Buenos Aires and Lima (LIM) totaled 42x/weekly with another 14x/weekly or so flights from other Argentine cities to LIM compared to only 9x/weekly currently being flown by only LATAM Peru (Aerolineas Argentinas normally also flies the route).  

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.flightstats.com

airfleets.net

ROUTE UPDATE: AeroMexico to introduce the 787-8 between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Mexico City (MEX) effective 01Apr15

AeroMexico will start flying the 787-8 between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Mexico City (MEX) on 01Apr15, operating four of its nine weekly flights between the two capitals, eventually going to daily 787 service on the route in October. The carrier currently has five 787-8's with four more on order plus six 787-9's due for delivery, as well.     

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn141204/avn-141204.html

ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina Airline Route Additions & Changes

Several route additions and changes to Argentina have been announced by airlines in recent months.  Those pertaining to Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral have been covered in a recent posting to this blog.  Details regarding service by other carriers are below:

AeroMexico - Effective 02Nov13:  

Increasing Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Mexico City (MEX) service from 7x/weekly to 9x/weekly for the southern hemisphere summer.  The additional flights are morning departures on Saturdays and Sundays operated with 767-200's as are the evening flights.

Sol Lineas Aereas - Effective 13Dec13: 

Operating Rosario (ROS) - Punta del Este (PDP) (Uruguay) summer seasonal service 6x/weekly (every day except Saturdays) with Saab 340's.

TAM Brazilian Airlines - Effective 01Jan14:

Starting Rosario (ROS) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) daily service using A320's. 

South African Airways - Effective 30Mar14: 

Cancelling Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Johannesburg (JNB) service.  Flights have been operated 3x/weekly with A340-300's.      

Sources: 
         
http://www.aeromexico.com
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2013/avn131017/avn-131017.html
http://www.sol.com.ar/site/new/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2013/avn131031/avn-131031.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2013/avn131024/avn-131024.html
http://airlineroute.net/2013/12/03/jj-gruros-jan14/ via Eric Trum
http://airlineroute.net/2013/11/12/sa-eze-ns14cxld/ via Eric Trum

ROUTE UPDATE: AeroMexico Receives first 787; Buenos Aires Dreamliner Service expected in March 2014

AeroMexico's first 787-8, N961AM, (c/n 35306) arrived in Mexico City (MEX) on its delivery flight on 16Aug13.  

The type will enter service on 23Sep13 between Mexico City (MEX) and Monterrey (MTY) with international service set to debut from MEX to New York City (JFK) on 24Sep13, followed by Tokyo Narita (NRT) on 14Oct13 and Paris on 24Oct13. 

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) will start on 20Mar14 to be followed by London Heathrow (LHR) and Madrid (MAD) later that year.

AeroMexico has a total of 19 787's on order including nine of the 787-8 model and ten of the 787-9 longer-range "stretched" model (20 ft. longer than the 787-8).

Sources: Aviacion News 15Aug13
             http://worldairlinenews.com/2013/08/17/aeromexico-takes-delivery-
             of-its-first-boeing-787-8/