FLEET UPDATE: Two Avion Express A320's arrived in Argentina in late November to fly for Flybondi

Avion Express A320-200, LY-MLJ (c/n 3877), soon after it arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 21Nov24.  Large "billboard" Flybondi titles have reportedly since been applied to the aircraft.  (Photo: aviacionline.com, aviacionnews.com, https://avionesenargentina.com/)

Flybondi has a fleet of 15 737-800s, but 2-3 at a time have been out of service since the beginning of 2024, apparently due mostly to Argentine government restrictions on the carrier accessing the necessary hard currency (such as USD or Euros) to pay for maintenance and spare parts on the aircraft.  This situation (along with the chronic overscheduling of equipment that the carrier is known for) has led Flybondi to cancel a large number of flights during the course of the year. 

As a solution for this problem and to accommodate its growth plans, Flybondi wetleased two 737-800's from Spanish ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) carrier AlbaStar for the southern hemisphere summer season from November 2024 through March 2025, with two more wetleased aircraft, A320ceo's belonging to Lithuanian-based Avion Express, LY-MLJ (c/n 3877) and LY-VEL (c/n 1998), recently arriving at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), also for the summer season.

Flybondi has two owned 737-800's that are currently undergoing maintenance, but expected to return to service in the near future.  With these aircraft and the four it has operating under wetlease, the carrier is set to have 19 aircraft flying its southern hemisphere summer 2025 schedule. 

LY-MLJ's journey to Argentina started on 18Nov24 when it departed Antalya (xxx) to Hannover (xxx), Keflavik (KEF), Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), Miami (MIA), and Trujillo (TRU), finally arriivng at EZE on 21Nov24.  The aircraft was first delivered to Hungarian carrier Wizz Air as HA-LPU in 2009 where it flew until late 2021, eventually finding its way to Avion Express as LY-MLJ, since being leased to Eurowings and Sun Express before its current lease to Flybondi. 

LY-VEL's travels to Argentina originated in Vilnius (VNO), thereafter replicating LY-MLJ's trip, stopping in Keflavik (KEF), Montreal-Trudeau (YUL), Miami (MIA), and Trujillo (TRU), arriivng at EZE on 23Nov24.  Airbus delivered the aircraft to Spanair in 2003, thereafter flying for Livingston Air, before moving on to Avion Express in 2014 as LY-VEL and subsequently flying for many airlines, apparently always on an ACMI basis by Avion Express, including Vueling, Condor, WOW, Dominican Wings, Aruba Airlines, Thomas Cook UK, Sunrise Airways, Sundair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Sun Express Deutschland, VietJetAir, Sun Express, and Wizzair before finally arriving to Argentina for Flybondi.    

Both LY-MLJ and LY-VEL fly in an all-white scheme, but with large "billbaord" titles applied to their forward fuselages soon after arriving in Argentina.      

Avion Express is owned by Avia Solutions, the world's largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) provider, consisting of 17 airlines operating 221 aircraft with annual revenue of Euro 2 billion (thousand million).  Avia Solutions was founded in 2010 in Vilnius, Lithuania, moving its headquarters to Dublin, Ireland in 2023.  The company also provides many other aviation services, including MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul), business and corporate aviation, aircraft leasing and trading, and aviation consulting services. 

Avion Express, based in Vilnius, Lithuania, has operated ACMI services for 38 past and present  customers, with a current fleet of  50 aircraft in all, including 13 A320's. 

       

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2024/11/los-nuevos-actores-de-flybondi.html

https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/llego-a-la-argentina-el-primer-airbus-a320-para-flybondi/

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2024/11/ly-vel-airbus-a320-232-cn-1998.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avia_Solutions_Group

https://aviasg.com/en/businesses/acmi

https://avionexpress.aero/

ROUTE UPDATES: October 2024 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, American, Arajet, Avianca Costa Rica

Route Updates - October 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 verified by your editor only where indicated.

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

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Curitiba (CWB) - 27Oct24 - aircraft type ? - 6x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 4x/weekly in southern hemisphere summer 2023/24 to 6x/weekly in southern hemisphere summer 2024/25  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - Trelew (REL) - 30Oct24 - Remarks: Route "suspended" (cancelled?), apparently as a cost-saving measure 

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 01Oct24 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Throughflight with passengers not required to deplane or go through immigration / customs in AEP made possible by new Argentine regulations and international "Sixth Freedom of the Air" allowing an airline from one country to carry revenue passengers between two other countries as long as it stops in its country of origin en route between the other two nations.  

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - 01Oct24 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Throughflight with passengers not required to deplane or go through immigration / customs in AEP made possible by new Argentine regulations and international "Sixth Freedom of the Air" allowing an airline from one country to carry revenue passengers between two other countries as long as it stops in its country of origin en route between the other two nations.  

* American Airlines - Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 26Oct24 - 777-200ER - 1x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 29Mar25.  Using 777-200ER this year instead of 787-9 used last year.  American flew this route year-round prior to the pandemic, but has operated only seasonal service since then, partly due to delivery delays of new 787-9's. 

* American Airlines - Miami (MIA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 26Oct24 - 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8 - 3x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal Southern Hemisphere Spring / Summer / Fall Service increase from 2x/daily.  Normal 777-200 2x/daily increasing to 777-200ER, 777-300ER, 787-8, 1x/daily each.  787-8 flight operating until 04May25 when will be suspended.  All three flights to depart EZE in the evening compared to past years when one of the flights departed in the morning. 

* American Airlines - New York Kennedy (JFK) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 27Oct24 - 777-300ER - 1x/daily - Remarks: Upgrade in equipment from 777-200ER for southern hemisphere summer until 06Mar25.  Plans for increase in frequency to 2x/daily were previously announced, but cancelled in late April due to 787 aircraft delivery delays from Boeing, so JFK-EZE to remain 1x/daily. 

* Arajet - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Punta Cana (PUJ) - 27Oct24 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Replacing Arajet flights out of Santo Domingo (SDQ)

* Arajet - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Santo Domingo (SDQ) - 26Oct24 - 737 MAX 8 - 7x/weekly - Remarks: Service out of SDQ to be suspended and shifted to Punta Cana (PUJ) starting on 27Oct24.  SDQ service to be reinstated when Arajet receives more 737 MAX 8's

* Avianca Costa Rica - San Jose (SJO) - Guayaquil (GYE) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 27Oct24 - A320neo - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Service to complement 4x/weekly SJO-UIO-EZE flights for a total of 8x/weekly flights from SJO through Ecuador to Argentina

* Avianca Costa Rica - San Jose (SJO) - Quito (UIO) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 31Oct24 - aircraft type ? - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Service reverting to 4x/weekly from 1x/daily because Avianca Costa Rica will start SJO-GYE-EZE 4x/weekly, eff 27Oct24 for a total of 8x/weekly flights from SJO through Ecuador to Argentina

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aeroroutes.com via Eric Trum

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas E-190, LV-CIF, repainted in Aerolineas livery

Former Austral E-190, LV-CIF (c/n 421) was recently repainted with Aerolineas Argentinas colors and titles like those on sistership LV-CMA, pictured above at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Jul24. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas E-190, LV-CIF (c/n 421) had its Austral colors and titles removed and replaced with the complete Aerolineas scheme at the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) airfield in Cordoba (not the Cordoba (COR) airport where airline flights operate) on 09Nov24.  It is the third former Austral E-190 to be repainted in Aerolineas colors, joining LV-CMA (c/n 445) and LV-CDZ (c/n 377), which were repainted on 03Mar21 and 05Jun23, respectively.  The Aerolineas and Austral schemes are very similar, with the main differences being the titles and the red stripe on the Austral fuselage.

Austral was a privately-owned airline formed decades ago that changed hands on more than one occasion until it was finally fully-merged with state-owned Aerolineas Argentinas on 30Nov20.  

Now, some four years after the merger was completed, only three of the 24 former Austral E-190's currently in the Aerolineas fleet have been repainted in the Aerolineas Argentinas color scheme.  Maybe due to nostalgia among former Austral employees, especially the pilots, who reportedly remember the carrier fondly.  

Sources:

https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/fadea-entrego-otro-embraer-e190-con-los-colores-de-aerolineas-argentinas/

FLEET UPDATE: Second of two AlbaStar 737-800's, EC-NLK, wetleased by Flybondi arrives at Ezeiza on 09Nov24

Unidentified AlbaStar 737-800 with the same scheme as EC-NLK (c/n 33104/1337), which arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 09Nov24, the second of two AlbaStar 737-800's on wetlease to Flybondi until March 2025. (AlbaStar Photo) 

Text repeated from posting on arrival of the first AlbaStar 737-800 in Argentina in early November with slight updates: 

Flybondi is wet-leasing two 737-800's from Spanish carrier AlbaStar, EC-MUB (c/n 32920/1293) and EC-NLK (c/n 33104/1337), from November 2024 to March 2025, the southern hemisphere summer high season, to cover for two of its 15-strong 737-800 fleet that are out of service for maintenance and apparently financial reasons.  AlbaStar has, at various times since its founding in 2009, operated scheduled and charter flights in partnership with European tour operators and on behalf of private organizations, such as sports clubs and other associations, largely to Spanish and Italian destinations.

EC-MUB and EC-NLK are being flown by AlbaStar for Flybondi on an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) basis where AlbaStar will assume responsibility for all aspects of  aircraft operations.  The aircraft are on the Spanish register and will be flown by Spanish crews employed by AlbaStar.    

While it is a common practice in Europe and many other parts of the world for airlines to wetlease  aircraft from foreign carriers, airlines in South America usually only sign on for such leases with  carriers from their own countries, such as when Flybondi leased Andes 737-800's to cover for capacity shortfalls at various times in 2024.  Wetleases from foreign airlines have only occurred a few times in Argentina, with the last occasion being when Andes Lineas Aereas briefly leased in an A320 from Vueling Airlines of Spain in early 2012.  However, on 23Sep24, Argentine President Javier Milei, in keeping with his overall philosophy of freeing up the Argentine economy, issued Decree #844/2024 instructing the National Civil Aviation Administration (spanish initials ANAC) to loosen regulations which required Argentine airlines to employee only Argentine workers and fly only aircraft registered in Argentina, paving the way for wetleases to fill capacity gaps and transfers of aircraft from one airline subsidiary to one in another nation, such as Jetsmart did recently when it transferred two A320ceo's from its Chilean to Argentine affiliate, although in the latter case, the aircraft are said to be flown by Argentine crews.  Even with the new regulations, Argentine airlines are apparently only allowed to  employ foreign crews for the short term, not on a permanent long-term basis.

Sources:

https://albastar.es/en/

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2024/11/ec-nlk-boeing-737-81m-cn-331041337.html

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2024/11/flybondi-trae-dos-aviones-para-cubrir-baches-y-crateres/

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2024/11/flybondi-se-refuerza.html

https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/arribo-el-primer-boeing-737-800-de-albastar-que-volara-para-flybondi/

FLEET UPDATE: Jetsmart Chile transfers A320ceo CC-AWC "Loica" to Jetsmart Argentina on 18Oct24

Jetsmart Chile A320ceo, CC-AWC (c/n 7691), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on a cloudy and foggy 24Jul24, almost three months before it was transferred to Jetsmart Argentina.  Note Republica Argentina 757-200, ARG-01, presidential transport aircraft parked in the background.   (Phil Perry Photo)    

Jetsmart Chile transferred A320ceo, CC-AWC (c/n 7691), to its Argentine affiliate Jetsmart Argentina  on 18Oct24.  The aircraft is operating in Argentina on the basis of the "Interchange" agreement signed by Chile and Argentina in August 2024, which was facilitated by the changes in Argentine regulations allowing for the operation of foreign aircraft by Argentine carriers, which took effect on 04Oct24.  Jetsmart Argentina is flying the plane with Argentine crews.

CC-AWC was orginally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 28Jull7 where it flew with the carrier until its recent transfer to Jetsmart Argentina.  The aircraft has worn the "Loica" (Longtail Meaadowlark) scheme pictured at the top of this posting since it was first delivered to Jetsmart Chile in 2017.  

Jetsmart Argentina now has ten A320ceo's in its fleet with the last A320ceo currently flying for Jetsmart Chile scheduled to join the Argentine affiliate in January 2025 for a total of eleven aircraft flying for the Buenos Aires-based carrier.  At that point, Jetsmart Chile will have a fleet comprised entirely of A320neo's and A321neo's.  

Jetsmart Argentina will use the new additions to its fleet to increase frequencies on many existing routes and expand its overall route network. 

  

Fleet List of Jetsmart Argentina A320's:

Jetsmart Argentina's current fleet of Airbus A320ceo's consists of the following ten aircraft.

Registration - C/N - Delivery Date - Remarks

• CC-AWC - 7691 - 18Oct24 - Remarks: "Loica" (Longtail Meaadowlark) tail scheme.  Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 28Jul17.  Transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 18Oct24 with no change of registration, still CC-AWC.
• CC-AWE - 8028 - 02Oct24 - Remarks: "Gaviota Austral" (Dolphin Gull) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 14Dec17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 30Oct22, re-registered as LV-KGO, transferred back to Jetsmart Chile on 27Nov23, re-registered as CC-AWE, transferred back to Jetsmart Argentina on 02Oct24 with no change of registration, still CC-AWE.
• LV-HEK - 8599 - 11Dec18 - Remarks: "Huemul" (South Andean Deer) tail scheme. Factory-delivered new to Jetsmart Argentina.
• LV-HVT - 8574 - 15Apr19 - Remarks: "Jaguar" tail scheme.  Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 13Nov18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 15Apr19, re-registered as LV-HVT.
• LV-IVN - 8730 - 15Nov19 - Remarks: "Zorro Culpeo" (Fox) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 12Feb19, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 15Nov19, re-registered as LV-IVN.
• LV-IVO - 8838 - 01Apr19 - Remarks: "Cardenal" (Cardinal) tail scheme.  Factory-delivered new to Jetsmart Argentina.
• LV-JQE - 8539 - 28Sep21 - Remarks: "Pinguino Rey" (King Penguin) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 21Nov18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 28Sep21, re-registered as LV-JQE.
• LV-KDP - 8493 - 29Apr22 - Remarks: "Puma Concolor" (Cougar) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 27Oct18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 29Apr22, re-registered as LV-KDP.
• LV-KFX - 8006 - 03Sep22 - Remarks: "Condor Andino" (Andean Condor) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 09Dec17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 03Sep22, re-registered as LV-KFX.
• LV-KJA - 7502 - 29Jun23 - Remarks: "Martin Pescador" (Fisher Bird) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 02Sep17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 29Jun23, re-registered as LV-KJA.   

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a320-7691.htm

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2024/10/jetsmart-argentina-trajo-su-10o-avion-y-le-queda-uno-solo-antes-de-tener-que-cambiar/

https://aviacionline.com/2024/10/jetsmart-argentina-recibe-su-decimo-avion-el-segundo-con-matricula-chilena/

FLEET UPDATE: Jetsmart Chile transferred A320ceo CC-AWE "Gaviota Austral" to Jetsmart Argentina on 02Oct24

Jetsmart Chile A320ceo, CC-AWE (c/n 8028), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Jul24, a little more than two months before it was transferred to Jetsmart Argentina. (Phil Perry Photo)      

Jetsmart Chile transferred A320ceo, CC-AWE (c/n 8028), to its Argentine affiliate Jetsmart Argentina  on 02Oct24 with the aircraft entering service on the Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Salta (SLA) route on 08Oct24.  CC-AWE is operating in Argentina on the basis of the "Interchange" agreement signed by Chile and Argentina in August 2024, which was facilitated by the changes in Argentine regulations allowing for the operation of foreign aircraft by Argentine carriers, which took effect on 04Oct24.  Jetsmart Argentina is flying the plane with Argentine crews.

CC-AWE was orginally delivered to Jetsmart Chile in 2017 where it flew with the carrier until it was transferred to Jetsmart Argentina in late 2022 and re-registered as LV-KGO, following the rules then in place that required Argentine carriers to operate only aircraft that were on the national registry.  After only a year, the plane went back to Chile in late 2023, once again assuming its Chilean registration of CC-AWE until it recently returned to Argentina, but keeping its CC-AWE reg this time.  Since it was first delivered to Jetsmart Chile in 2017, the aircraft has always worn the "Gaviota Austral" (Dolphin Gull) scheme pictured at the top of this posting.       

Jetsmart Argentina now has nine A320ceo's in its fleet with one more expected before the end of 

October for a total of ten aircraft.  At that point, Jetsmart Chile will only have one A320ceo left in its fleet, which will likely be reassigned to Jetsmart Argentina, maybe in January 2025, as Jetsmart Chile focuses on a fleet comprised entirely of A320 and A321neo's.  

Jetsmart Argentina will use the two new additions to its fleet primarily to increase frequencies on many existing routes, such as, in October:

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Ezeiza (EZE) to Bariloche (BRC), Cordoba (COR), El Calafate (FTE), Neuquen (NQN), Puerto Iguazu (IGR), Salta (SLA), San Martin de los Andes (CPC) and Tucuman (TUC).

Also in October, new international service will be added from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Lima (LIM) and Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG).   

 

More new service and increased frequencies will be added in the November through January period.

  

Fleet List of Jetsmart Argentina A320's:

Jetsmart Argentina's current fleet of Airbus A320ceo's consists of the following nine aircraft:

Registration - C/N - Delivery Date - Remarks

• CC-AWE - 8028 - 02Oct24 - Remarks: "Gaviota Austral" (Dolphin Gull) tail scheme.  Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 14Dec17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 30Oct22, re-registered as LV-KGO, transferred back to Jetsmart Chile on 27Nov23, re-registered as CC-AWE, transferred back to Jetsmart Argentina on 02Oct24 with no change of registration, still CC-AWE.
• LV-HEK - 8599 - 11Dec18 - Remarks: "Huemul" (South Andean Deer) tail scheme. Factory-delivered new to Jetsmart Argentina.
• LV-HVT - 8574 - 15Apr19 - Remarks: "Jaguar" tail scheme.  Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 13Nov18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 15Apr19, re-registered as LV-HVT.
• LV-IVN - 8730 - 15Nov19 - Remarks: "Zorro Culpeo" (Fox) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 12Feb19, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 15Nov19, re-registered as LV-IVN.
• LV-IVO - 8838 - 01Apr19 - Remarks: "Cardenal" (Cardinal) tail scheme.  Factory-delivered new to Jetsmart Argentina.
• LV-JQE - 8539 - 28Sep21 - Remarks: "Pinguino Rey" (King Penguin) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 21Nov18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 28Sep21, re-registered as LV-JQE.
• LV-KDP - 8493 - 29Apr22 - Remarks: "Puma Concolor" (Cougar) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 27Oct18, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 29Apr22, re-registered as LV-KDP.
• LV-KFX - 8006 - 03Sep22 - Remarks: "Condor Andino" (Andean Condor) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 09Dec17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 03Sep22, re-registered as LV-KFX.
• LV-KJA - 7502 - 29Jun23 - Remarks: "Martin Pescador" (Fisher Bird) tail scheme. Originally delivered to Jetsmart Chile on 02Sep17, transferred to Jetsmart Argentina on 29Jun23, re-registered as LV-KJA.   

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.es/ficheapp/plane-a320-8028.htm

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2024/10/jetsmart-argentina-trajo-su-antepenultimo-airbus-320-ceo/

https://aviacionline.com/2024/10/empezo-a-operar-vuelos-domesticos-en-argentina-un-airbus-a320-con-matricula-chilena/

https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/jetsmart-aumenta-su-presencia-en-el-mercado-argentino-con-mas-rutas-y-frecuencias-desde-octubre/

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas returned E-190 LV-GAQ to lessor, Embraer fleet presently at 24

Austral (later Aerolineas Argentinas) E-190, LV-GAQ (c/n 19000275), taxis out for departure at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Jun23. (Phil Perry Photo)

 

The first Embraer E-190 to ever leave the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet, LV-GBK (c/n 19000291), departed Argentina on 18Sep24 to the Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon (MCN) in the United States for return to the lessor Azorra.  This was followed by a second E-190, LV-GAQ (c/n 19000275) departing Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 26Sep24, also to Macon (MCN) and returning to Azorra, leaving Aerolineas with a fleet of 24 E-190's, which is slated to be further reduced in the coming years as the carrier is expected to take delivery of 12 E195-E2's and more 737 MAX 8's.  

      

LV-GAQ, like sistership LV-GBK, was originally delivered to Republic Airways in 2009 operating regional flights on behalf of mainline carriers American, Delta and United before joining the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet in 2016.    

FLEET STATUS:

Aerolineas Argentinas' current fleet of E-190's consists of the following 24 aircraft:

Registration - C/N - Delivery Date - Remarks

• LV-CDY - 365 - 20/9/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CDZ - 377 - 20/9/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CET - 383 - 4/10/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CEU - 389 - 12/11/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CEV - 390 - 12/11/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHO - 395 - 11/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHQ - 397 - 14/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHR - 400 - 22/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHS - 402 - 22/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CID - 409 - 11/02/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIE - 414 - 25/02/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIF - 421 - 28/03/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIG - 427 - 02/05/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIH - 428 - 29/04/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CKZ - 439 - 18/06/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CMA - 445 - 26/08/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CMB - 448 - 26/08/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPI - 457 - 16/9/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPJ - 463 - 23/09/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPK - 474 - 23/09/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-FPS - 639 - 27/09/2013 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-FPT - 640 - 25/10/2013 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-GIK - 715 - 26/06/2016 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral. On lease to Aerolineas Argentinas. 
• LV-GIQ - 716 - 29/07/2016 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral. On lease to Aerolineas Argentinas.       

Sources:

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

https://aviacionline.com/2024/10/de-argentina-a-vietnam-vietjet-air-usara-los-dos-embraer-ex-aerolineas-argentinas/

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas returned E-190 LV-GBK to lessor, Embraer fleet presently at 25

Austral (later Aerolineas Argentinas) E-190, LV-GBK (c/n 19000291), taxis out for departure at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 19Dec18. (Phil Perry Photo)

After having accumulated 26 E-190's between 2010 and 2016, with 22 owned examples and four leased airframes, Aerolineas Argentinas for the first time had one of its E-jets leave its fleet when the lease on LV-GBK (c/n 19000291) recently expired.  

The aircraft departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), with the Austral titles removed from its fuselage, on 18Sep24 bound for Middle Georgia Regional Airport (MCN) in Macon, Georgia, via Asuncion (ASU) and Manaos (MAO) for return to the lessor Azorra.  It was flown by a Brazilian crew due to the refusal of three Aerolineas pilots to operate the ferry flight, claiming that the aircraft's return, along with another E-190 LV-GAQ (c/n 19000275) slated to leave the fleet before year's end, indicated an intent on the part of management to start downsizing the company in preparation for the carrier's planned privatization by the Argentine government.   

Aerolineas' senior management claimed that the accusations were unfounded, noting that three 737 MAX 8's have been added to the airline's fleet so far in 2024 and proceeded to fire the three pilots who refused the flight due to damages that management claimed to be US$ 26,000 (apparently per day) possibly amounting up to US$ 800,000, resulting from penalties corresponding to the late return of the aircraft. 

LV-GBK was originally delivered to Republic Airways in 2009 operating regional flights on behalf of mainline carriers American, Delta and United before joining the Aerolineas Argentinas fleet on lease in 2016.    

FLEET STATUS:

Aerolineas Argentinas' current fleet of E-190's consists of the following 25 aircraft:

Registration - C/N - Delivery Date - Remarks

• LV-CDY - 365 - 20/9/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CDZ - 377 - 20/9/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CET - 383 - 4/10/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CEU - 389 - 12/11/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CEV - 390 - 12/11/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHO - 395 - 11/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHQ - 397 - 14/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHR - 400 - 22/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CHS - 402 - 22/12/2010 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CID - 409 - 11/02/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIE - 414 - 25/02/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIF - 421 - 28/03/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIG - 427 - 02/05/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CIH - 428 - 29/04/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CKZ - 439 - 18/06/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CMA - 445 - 26/08/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CMB - 448 - 26/08/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPI - 457 - 16/9/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPJ - 463 - 23/09/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-CPK - 474 - 23/09/2011 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-FPS - 639 - 27/09/2013 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-FPT - 640 - 25/10/2013 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral
• LV-GAQ - 275 - 16/04/2016 - Remarks: Originally delivered to Republic Airways on 27/08/2009 as N164HQ.  On lease to Aerolineas Argentinas.
• LV-GIK - 715 - 26/06/2016 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral. On lease to Aerolineas Argentinas. 
• LV-GIQ - 716 - 29/07/2016 - Remarks: factory-delivered new to Austral. On lease to Aerolineas Argentinas.       

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas.htm
https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/aerolineas-argentinas-retiro-por-primera-vez-un-embraer-e190-de-su-flota/

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737 MAX 8 - Fleet of 22 expected by end of 2028 - Details

FLEET UPDATE:

Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of its 12th 737 MAX 8, LV-KID (c/n 66359/8936), when it flew from the Boeing manufacturer's delivery center at Boeing Field (BFI) to Miami (MIA) and onward to  Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 24Jul24.  

One more MAX 8, LV-KIV (c/n 43919/7581) (ex-UR-MXC), originally planned for delivery to Ukraine International, is set to be delivered to Aerolineas before the end of 2024, making for a total fleet of 13 737 MAX 8's flying with the Argentine national carrier by the end of the year.  

2016 Order for 14 737 MAX 8's:

Aerolineas placed an order for 14 737 MAX 8's with Boeing in September 2016.

Of this order, five have either been cancelled or delivered as part of the 13 expected to have been  delivered by the end of 2024:  

* Two aircraft, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661) and LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717) were delivered in late 2017 under a "lease financing" agreement.

* Two planes were cancelled and replaced with two other MAX 8's, LV-KEI (c/n 65899/8121) and LV-KEJ (c/n 43321/8051) that were scheduled for delivery to Belavia, the national airline of Belarus, but were ntu (not taken up) because of sanctions against Belarus due to its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.  Aerolineas received these two examples in August and June 2022, respectively.  

* Aerolineas Argentinas cancelled one more MAX 8 in early June 2024. 

This leaves nine more MAX 8's of the original 2016 order to be delivered, all scheduled for 2027 and 2028 handovers, which when added to the 13 MAX 8's expected by the end of 2024, will make for a total of 22 737 MAX 8's in the Aerolineas fleet by the end of 2028.

Sources:

https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/aerolineas-argentinas-recibio-otro-boeing-737-max-directo-de-fabrica-lv-kid/

https://aviacionline.com/2024/06/aerolineas-argentinas-suspendio-la-recepcion-de-un-boeing-737-max-2/

FLEET UPDATE: Republica Argentina 757-23A, T-01, "Tango Zero-One" flown to Dothan, Alabama, USA to be broken up for spares

Republica Argentina 757-23A, T-01 (c/n 25487/470), taxiing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Oct10.  (Phil Perry Photo)

Republica Argentina 757-23A, T-01 (c/n 25487/470), the country's former presidential transport aircraft from 1992 to 2015, left Argentina for the last time on 06Jun24, bound for Dothan Regional Airport (DHN), Alabama, USA, via technical stops in Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI), Manaus (MAO), Baranquilla (BAQ) and Opa Locka (OPF), Florida, finally arriving at Dothan on 08Jun24.  Local sources indicated that T-01 flew the first leg of the journey with its undercarriage deployed (safety precaution due to no flying time over the previous nine years ?).    

T-01 was delivered to Argentina fresh from the Boeing factory in 1992 where it flew extensively for Argentine presidents, ranging from Carlos Menem to Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, until 2015 when the aircraft was parked indefinitely at El Palomar Air Force Base near Buenos Aires due to extensive maintenance requirements required for its airworthiness certificate, including a heavy C-Check on its airframe plus major work on its engines and landing gears and updating of avionics and other electronics that would have cost US$ 20 million to carry out, well above the value of the aircraft itself. 

Although the airframe had only accumulated approx. 14,000 hours over 1,500 cycles (very low compared to 757's in regular commercial service, which typically accumulate 8-12 hours flying time per day) its estimated value was only some US$ 2 million due to the above-noted cost of the maintenance required for it to become airworthy again (T-01's airworthiness certificate expired in 2016), plus:

• A history of recurring mechanical issues, especially with its Rolls-Royce engines, the worst of which was an inflight engine fire, forcing an emergency landing at El Palomar minutes after taking off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 19Oct04.    
• An executive interior that, if sold for continued use in that role, would probably have entailed extensive and costly modifications to the new owner's tastes.
• Conversion to a cargo role would have been expensive with the addition of a cargo door.
• Significant modifications to the airframe might also have required costly system / equipment upgrades to be in compliance with 2015 safety standards.                  

T-01 remained forlornly on the ramp at El Palomar, when finally in late 2022 it was traded in towards the purchase of a replacement, 757-200, ARG-01 (c/n 29306/920) with a US$ 3 million credit towards the US$ 25 million purchase price of the new addition to the fleet, which arrived in Argentina on 25May23.  

The plane's new owner, C&L Aviation Group of Bangor, Maine, USA, subsequently sold T-01 to Bischoff Aerospace of Hialeah, Florida, an aircraft parts dealer.  In early 2024, the aircraft  underwent extensive preparations for delivery to Bischoff in Dothan (DHN), wearing its new registration, N757CL, where it finally arrived on 08Jun24.  The aircraft will presumably be broken up for spare parts. 

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/07/t-01-boeing-757-23a-cn-25487470.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2018/09/off-tango-que-me-hiciste-sufrir.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2020/12/visita-al-t-01.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2024/06/adios-viejo-tango.html

https://www.perfil.com/noticias/actualidad/asi-es-el-nuevo-avion-presidencial-que-costo-25-millones-de-dolares.phtml

https://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2016/10/airline-fleet-updates-argentine.html

FLEET UPDATE: Republica Argentina 757-200, presidential transport, ARG-01, grounded pending heavy checks

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 25Jul24. (Phil Perry Photo)  

Republica Argentina 757-200, ARG-01, c/n 29306/920, has been grounded at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) since 26Jun24 due to its having exceeded the allowed hours/cycles for the heavy maintenance  "C" Check, even after all permissble extensions. 

The aircraft was due for its "C" Check in March 2024, but a legal challlenge to the US$ 3 million contract for the check and an upgrade of its satellite communications system delayed its signing.  The "C" Check was further delayed when ARG-01 was unexpectedly pressed into continued service in April due to the greater security afforded to Argentine President Javier Milei by the use of this plane, with its government-level security, compared to the less stringent security measures of the private companies providing the smaller and more economical aircraft that were previously chartered as part of the president's austerity drive.  

ARG-01 can now only be flown using a ferry permit to a maintenance facility where the work to restore its airworthiness will be performed.  The "C" Check will apparently take two months or more to complete, largely depending on the number of unexpected items that need to be resolved, of which there are always at least a few.   

Sources:

https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/329593/
https://www.infobae.com/politica/2024/06/14/se-vence-un-permiso-del-avion-presidencial-y-podria-afectar-los-proximos-viajes-de-javier-milei/

FLEET UPDATE: LATAM airline group has painted at least four of five A320 Series aircraft in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru national tail colors

                                                                                                                                        (LATAM Photo)

The LATAM airline group announced in early January 2024 that five of its aircraft would have their tails painted in the colors of its five national subsidiaries; Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.   

As of this posting, at least four aircraft have been painted in national tail colors so far:  

* LATAM Brasil A320neo, PR-XBG, c/n 11725 - The aircraft with the green and yellow-striped tail noted on the first plane in the above photo was the first to be painted with a special tail in January 2024. 

* LATAM Colombia A320, CC-BFE, c/n 5364 - The aircraft with the red, blue and yellow-striped tail noted on the third plane above was the second to be painted with a special tail in April 2024. 

* LATAM Ecuador A320, HC-CPR, c/n 3663 - The aircraft with the red, yellow, blue and yellow-striped tail noted in the fifth plane above was the third to be painted with a special tail in May 2024.

* LATAM Peru A320, CC-BFW, c/n 6135 - The aircraft with the red and white-striped tail noted in the fourth plane above was the fourth to be painted with a special tail in June/July 2024.

* LATAM Chile A320 series aicraft - To the best of your editor's knowledge, this aircraft, with the red and blue stripes on the tail noted in the second plane above, has not been painted yet. 

Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=690455999923908&set=a.536812261954950

https://www.airdatanews.com/latam-will-paint-five-planes-with-the-colors-of-the-countries-where-it-has-domestic-flights/

https://volavi.co/aviacion/noticias/latam-pinta-avion-homenaje-colombia

https://volavi.co/aviacion/noticias/latam-pinta-avion-homenaje-colombia

https://www.airliners.net/photo/LATAM-Ecuador/Airbus-A319-132/7580667?qsp=eJwtjEEKwkAMRa8iWbspgovu7AV04QVC8tHi1BkyER1K724c3D3e/7yVJD8dH7%2B2Ahqpgk3utKfCxkulcaUH2jubBlNi52UHebFmi1PN5lOLQdlxEkFx6N%2BfTWG/CVV67xb9IQB26UyHY3ida0ncG3CeE23bF9kfMa0%3D

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/olinplacido_esta-semana-presentamos-ante-sociedad-nuestro-activity-7209739824990212096-SDby/?originalSubdomain=es

www.airfleets.net

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of its 12th 737 MAX 8, LV-KID, on 24Jul24

FLEET UPDATE:

Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of its 12th 737 MAX 8, LV-KID, c/n 66359/8936, when it flew from the Boeing manufacturer's delivery center at Boeing Field (BFI) to Miami (MIA) and onward to  Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 24Jul24.  

One more MAX 8, LV-KIV, c/n 43919/7581, (ex-UR-MXC), originally planned for delivery to Ukraine International, is set to be delivered to Aerolineas before the end of 2024, making for a total fleet of 13 737 MAX 8's flying with the Argentine national carrier by the end of the year.  

FLEET STATUS:

Aerolineas Argentinas' current fleet of 737 MAX 8's consists of the following 12 aircraft:

Registration - C/N - Delivery Date (to Aerolineas) - Remarks 

• LV-GVD - 64207/6661 - 23/11/2017 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas, airline-owned ?
• LV-GVE - 64208/6717 - 30/12/2017 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas, airline-owned ?
• LV-HKU - 44293/6753 - 26/01/2018 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ACG  
• LV-HKV - 44294/6807 - 24/02/2018 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ACG 
• LV-HKW - 44296/6926 - 08/06/2018 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ACG  
• LV-KEI - 65899/8121 - 10/08/2022 - Remarks: Originally slated for Belavia (Belarus) EW-551PA ntu, factory-delivered to Aerolineas
• LV-KEJ - 43321/8051 - 24/06/2022 - Remarks: Originally slated for Belavia (Belarus) EW-546PA ntu, factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ALC
• LV-KID - 66359/8936 - 24/07/2024 - Remarks: factory-delivered to Aerolineas
• LV-KIT - 43917/7450 - 17/05/2024 - Remarks: Ukraine International Airlines UR-MXA ntu, factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ICBC Leasing 
• LV-KIU - 43918/7529  - 07/06/2024 - Remarks: Ukraine International Airlines, UR-MXB ntu, factory-delivered to Aerolineas, leased from ICBC Leasing  
• LV-KKD - 43564/7470 - 29/09/2023 - Remarks: Originally delivered to Flair Airlines (Canada) in 12/2022 but never operated, Smartwings (Czechia) ntu, leased from Altavair Airfinance  
• LV-KKE - 60135/7635 - 06/10/2023 - Remarks: delivered to Flair Airlines (Canada) ntu, Smartwings (Czechia) ntu, leased from Altavair Airfinance  

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-66359.htm

https://aviacionline.com/2024/07/aerolineas-argentinas-recibio-otro-boeing-737-max-directo-de-fabrica-lv-kid/

https://www.airfleets.net

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/

FLEET UPDATE: Flybondi 737-800, LV-KJE, returns to service after 05Jan24 tailstrike in Mar del Plata (MDQ)

Flybondi 737-800, LV-KJE, c/n 30700/1942, taxis out for takeoff at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 25Jul24 after returning to Argentina from repairs performed to its fuselage after a tailstrike in Mar del Plata (MDQ) on 05Jan24. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Flybondi 737-800, LV-KJE, c/n 30700/1942, arrived back in Argentina on 03Jul24 after repairs in Victorville (VCV) California, USA, to damage resulting from a tailstrike to the aircraft's lower rear fuselage while landing in Mar del Plata (MDQ) in the late evening of 05Jan24.

The aircraft apparently impacted the ground with significant force, enough to puncture the fuselage in several sections, not just the scrapes that are characteristic of tailstrikes.  The damage and nature of the incident were severe enough for the Argentine "Junta de Seguridad en el Transporte" (safety transport commission) to characterize it as an "Accident".

LV-KJE remained on the ground in MDQ for several months while the extent of the damage was evaluated to determine if it was economically feasible for it to be repaired or if it would be written off for spare parts.  Plus, there was the matter of the damage possibly rendering the aircraft unairworthy for a ferry flight to where it could be repaired. 

Finally, maintenance technicians from Flybondi and representatives from Boeing judged that LV-KJE could possibly be repaired at a reasonable cost to save the aircraft from the scrapyard, but that the ferry flight to Victorville (VCV), where it would be repaired would need to be done at below 10,000 ft. because the aircraft's structural integrity was not sufficient enough for it to be pressurized for high-altitude flight. 

The routing from Mar de Plata (MDQ) to Victorville (VCV) would normally be over the towering Andes mountain range bordering Argentina and Chile with some peaks reaching over 20,000 ft., but the non-pressurization requirement made this routing impossible, so the airline decided that LV-KJE would fly to southern Patagonia, near the Tierra del Fuego province, to fly west and back north along the Chilean territory, north to Santiago (SCL), more than doubling the normal routing of 1,300 km. to 2,950 km.    

LV-KJE departed Mar del Plata (MDQ) on 25May24 to the Boeing repair shops in Victorville (VCV) on a multi-stop journey via Santiago (SCL), Guayaquil (GYE), San Salvador (SAL) and Yuma (YUM).    

Over the next few weeks, Boeing engineers and the contracted staff of other companies performed the necessary repairs to LV-KJE's fuselage and other components that were damaged in the tailstrike, with the aircraft flying back to Argentina on a Victorville (VCV) - Panama City (PTY) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) routing, departing the US on 02Jul24 and arriving at EZE the following day. 

LV-KJE re-entered service on Flybondi's route system in the following days. 

Sources:

https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/349677

https://jst.gob.ar/files/informes/AE/2024/010624-2048401/IB-2048401-24.pdf

https://avherald.com/h?article=513586e4

https://testaodp.dream.press/2024/05/con-una-ruta-muy-inusual-volvio-a-volar-el-boeing-737-800-de-flybondi-que-sufrio-un-tail-strike-en-mar-del-plata/

https://testaodp.dream.press/2024/05/confirman-el-regreso-del-avion-de-flybondi-que-sufrio-un-tail-strike-en-mar-del-plata/

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2024/08/roll-out-n-421-fleet-list.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas (hybrid Ukraine International) 737 MAX 8, LV-KIU, delivered on 07Jun24

Aerolineas Argentinas 737 MAX 8, LV-KIU, c/n 43918/7529, resplendent in a hybrid color scheme consisting of the basic UIA livery and Aerolineas Argentinas titles, taxis out for take off at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Jul24. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of the 2nd 737 MAX 8 that was originally slated to be taken by  Ukraine International Airlines, c/n 43918/7529, LV-KIU (formerly UR-MXB) on 07Jun24 after its delivery flight from the Boeing factory at Paine Field (PAE) near Seattle to Miami (MIA) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).  The aircraft is the 11th 737 MAX 8 to join Aerolineas' fleet.

Like aircraft c/n 43197/7450, LV-KIT, LV-KIU first flew in the first half of 2019, but was never  delivered to Ukraine International due to the COVID-19 pandemic and invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 follwed by the subsequent suspension of all flights by the carrier.  The lease from ICBC Aviation Leasing of China was then taken up by Aerolineas Argentinas.  

The plane entered service with the Argentine carrier in a hybrid color scheme consisting of the basic UIA livery and Aerolineas Argentinas titles. 

Sources:    

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-43918.htm

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2023/03/lv-kiu-boeing-737-ng-cn-439187529.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of its 10th 737 MAX 8, LV-KIT, on 16May24

Aerolineas Argentinas 737 MAX 8, LV-KIT, c/n 43197/7450, taxis out for takeoff at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Jul24. (Phil Perry Photo)

Ukraine International Airlines had leasing agreements in place for three 737 MAX 8's from ICBC Aviation Leasing of China, all of which made their first flights in the first half of 2019, presumably with plans to be delivered that year, but they were all ntu (not taken up), possibly postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, if any plans were afoot for delivering the aircraft to UIA with the winding down of the pandemic, they were soon put aside with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24Feb22 and the subsequent suspension of all flights by the carrier.  The aircraft were apparently stored at the Boeing manufacturing facility at Paine Field (PAE) near Seattle painted in full Ukraine International colors and titles.         

An agreement later came about between ICBC and Aerolineas Argentinas for the latter airline to lease all three aircraft with the first delivery of  aircraft c/n 43197/7450, ex-UR-MXA to Argentina taking place on a ferry flight on a Seattle (SEA) - Miami (MIA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) routing departing 16May24 and arriving in Argentina on 17May24.

The plane was still in full UIA colors and titles, but was promptly flown to the FAdeA (Fabrica Argentina de Aviacion) airfield in Cordoba, located just southwest of the city (not the Cordoba (COR) commercial airline airport) for full repainting in Aerolineas Argentinas livery and titles.    

Sources:    

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-43917.htm

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2023/03/lv-kit-boeing-737-ng-cn-439177450.html

https://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2024/05/otro-boeing-737-max-para-las-aerolineas.html

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.

Sources:

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b757-29306.htm

https://www.perfil.com/noticias/actualidad/asi-es-el-nuevo-avion-presidencial-que-costo-25-millones-de-dolares.phtml

https://www.perfil.com/noticias/actualidad/el-nuevo-avion-presidencial-arg-01-que-costo-us25-millones-ya-aterrizo-en-buenos-aires.phtml

https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/05/02/las-primeras-fotos-del-nuevo-avion-presidencial-el-detalle-en-la-parte-inferior-del-fuselaje-y-su-nuevo-nombre/

https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/05/15/el-avion-presidencial-hizo-el-vuelo-de-prueba-y-ahora-ultiman-los-detalles-para-viajar-a-buenos-aires/

https://www.infobae.com/politica/2023/05/21/como-es-por-dentro-el-nuevo-avion-presidencial-que-reemplazara-al-tango-01/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/05/el-nuevo-boeing-757-presidencial-argentino-comienza-su-vuelo-de-entrega/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/05/rasante-presidencial-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina-se-despega-del-vuelo-de-la-polemica/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2023/05/argentina-01-llego-al-pais-el-nuevo-avion-presidencial-argentino/