ROUTE UPDATES: September 2024 - Part 2 - Andes Lineas Aereas high school graduation charter flights to Bariloche (BRC)

Andes Lineas Aereas 737-800, LV-KFW (c/n 37366/3628), takes off from runway 13 at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 14May24. (Phil Perry Photo)  

Route Updates - September 2024 - Part 2

Andes Lineas Aereas traditional high school graduation charter flights to the lake and mountainside Patagonian town of Bariloche on behalf of student tour operators, primarily Travelrock.  Operated with the two 737-800's in the Andes fleet; LV-KFW (c/n 37366/3628) and LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698).  

These flights operate from June to December.  Below example is just one month of service. 

September 2024 flight segments flown:

LV-KFW

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Bariloche (BRC):  71

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Mar del Plata (MDQ):  2

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro (BPS):  22

Resistencia (RES) - Bariloche (BRC):  6

Rosario (ROS) - Bariloche (BRC):  3

Salta (SLA) - Bariloche (BRC):  7

Santa Fe (SFN) - Bariloche (BRC):  2

Tucuman (TUC) - Bariloche (BRC):  2

Total Segments Flown by LV-KFW in September:  115

LV-HKS

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Bariloche (BRC):  107

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro (BPS):  1

Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Puerto Iguazu (IGR):  1

Mar del Plata (MDQ) - Bariloche (BRC):  1

Rosario (ROS) - Bariloche (BRC):  2

Salta (SLA) - Bariloche (BRC):  5

Santa Fe (SFN) - Bariloche (BRC):  4

Tucuman (TUC) - Bariloche (BRC):  1

Total Segments Flown by LV-HKS in September: 122

Total Segments Flown by LV-KFW and LV-HKS in September: 237

Notes:

* Number of flights is total of one-way segments in both directions 

* Some of the segments might have been one-way ferry positioning flights 

* A few other flights between cities that were clearly only for positioning are not shown, such as, for example, Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rosario (ROS)   

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: August 2024 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Andes, Avianca Costa Rica, COPA, Flybondi, Jetsmart Argentina

Route Updates - August 2024

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 Ezeiza (EZE) - New York Kennedy (JFK) - 08Aug24 - A330-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Route cancelled due to consistent financial losses.  Aerolineas Argentinas started flying between EZE and JFK in 1950 wth DC-6's, followed by Comet 4's in 1959, 707's in 1966, and 747's in the early 80's, until the route's cancellation in 2008 due to financial losses, only to be resumed in 2013 with A330's until now.  

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Bariloche (BRC) - xxAug24 - 737-800 - 2-4x/daily - Remarks: Operated EZE-BRC round-trip 2-4x/daily on most days in August using their fleet of two 737-800's, LV-HKS and LV-KFW. 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro (BPS) - xxAug24 - 737-800 -Remarks: 22 charter flights for student tour company Soulmax through October 2024 using their fleet of two 737-800's, LV-HKS and LV-KFW. 

* Avianca - Bogota (BOG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 01Aug24 - A320neo, 787-8 - 17x/weekly - Remarks:  Increasing frequency from 14x/weekly. Flights operated by 787-8 1x/daily and A320 10x/weekly for a total of 17x/weekly. 

*Avianca Costa Rica - San Jose (SJO) - Quito (UIO) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 31Aug24 - type ? - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly until 31Oct24 when will revert to 4x/weekly because Avianca Costa Rica will start San Jose (SJO) - Guayaquil (GYE) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 4x/weekly, eff 27Oct24 for a total of 8x/weekly flights from SJO through Ecuador to EZE.    

* COPA - Panama City (PTY) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxAug24 - 737-800 - 31x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 28x/weekly.  Additional frequencies to be operated by 737 MAX 9's

* Flybondi - Ushuaia (USH) - El Calafate (FTE) - 02Aug24 - 737-800 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: New year-round service increasing frequency to 4x/weekly in October.  Per aviacionline.com, the USH-FTE route is the Argentine interprovincial route (not originating/terminating in Buenos Aires) with the most passenger traffic, with 88,525 passengers and a load factor of 89% in the first six months of 2024. (this equals 486 per day, which seems high)

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianapolis (FLN) - 30Aug24 - A320-200 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Decreasing frequency from 3x/weekly until 13Dec24 when will increase flights up to 5x/weekly for the summer

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: July 2024 - Part 2 - Andes Lineas Aereas winter charters

Route Updates - July 2024 - Part 2

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started service on the indicated routes on the listed dates.  Many of the services are the resumption of flights that existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Increases / decreases in flight frequency are verified by your editor only where indicated.

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

Andes Lineas Aereas Argentine winter vacation student charter flights to the lake and mountainside Patagonian town of Bariloche on behalf of student tour operators, primarily Travelrock.  Operated with the two 737-800's in the Andes fleet; LV-KFW (c/n 37366/3628) and LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698).  

List below is for departure cities first noted by your editor in July (see June Route Updates for cities served starting in that month).  Dates are for those first noted by your editor.  Frequencies are irregular charters with some orginating cities having more flights to Bariloche (BRC) than others:    

* Andes Lineas Aereas - La Rioja (IRJ) - Bariloche (BRC) - 16Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Neuquen (NQN) - Bariloche (BRC) - 08Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Resistencia (RES) - Bariloche (BRC) - 11Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Rio Cuarto (RCU) - Bariloche (BRC) - 12Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Rosario (ROS) - Bariloche (BRC) - 03Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Santa Fe (SFN) - Bariloche (BRC) - 02Jul24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Bariloche (BRC) - 01Jul24 - 737-800 - Remarks: Seven charter flights from GRU to BRC in July

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Tucuman (TUC) - Bariloche (BRC) - 09Jul24 - 737-800 

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: June 2024 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, Andes

Route Updates - June 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 - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Madrid (MAD) - xxJun24 - A330-200 - 2x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/daily at least through July 

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Miami (MIA) - xxJun24 - A330-200 - 9x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 1x/daily

Andes Lineas Aereas traditional high school student graduation charter flights to the lake and mountainside Patagonian town of Bariloche on behalf of student tour operators, primarily Travelrock.  Operated with the two 737-800's in the Andes fleet; LV-KFW (c/n 37366/3628) and LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698).  

Dates are those first noted by your editor.  Frequencies are irregular charters with some orginating cities having more flights to Bariloche (BRC) than others:    

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Bariloche (BRC) - 14Jun24 - 737-800

 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Bariloche (BRC) - 11Jun24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Jujuy (JUJ) - Bariloche (BRC) - 14Jun24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - Bariloche (BRC) - 13Jun24 - 737-800 

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Montevideo (MVD) - Bariloche (BRC) - 28Jun24 - 737-800

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Posadas (PSS) - Bariloche (BRC) - 12Jun24 - 737-800

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Puerto Iguazu (IGR) - Bariloche (BRC) - 16Jun24 - 737-800

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Punta del Este (PDP) - Bariloche (BRC) - 28Jun24 - 737-800

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Santiago del Estero (SDE) - Bariloche (BRC) - 15Jun24 - 737-800

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

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

Route Updates - July 2023 - Part 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

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

Route Updates - June 2023 - Part 1

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

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

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

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

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

* Boliviana - Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJun23 - A330-200 - Remarks: 

A330-200 occasionally subbing for 737 on EZE route for crew familiarization prior to flying on MAD and MIA routes

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

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

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: January 2023 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas, American, Andes Lineas Aereas, Flybondi, Gol, Iberia, LADE, LATAM Peru

Route Updates - January 2023 - Part 1

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

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

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Punta Cana (PUJ) - Havana (HAV) - 02Jan23 - 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Decreased frequency from 3x/weekly

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 03Jan23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 05Feb23 (originally until 05Mar23)

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Cordoba (COR) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 01Jan23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 09Feb23.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Mendoza (MDZ) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 03Jan23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 14Apr23.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Rosario (ROS) - Bariloche (BRC) - 01Jan23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8, 4x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Rosario (ROS) - El Calafate (FTE) - 03Jan23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 08Apr23.

* Aerolineas Argentinas - Rosario (ROS) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 02Jan23 - 737-800 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 06Feb23 (originally until 03Mar23)

* American Airlines - Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 09Jan23 - 787-8 - 1x/daily - Remarks: 787-8 replaces 777-200ER

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Cordoba (COR) - Jujuy (JUJ) - Cayo Largo (CYO) - 05Jan23 - 737-800 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Charters for tour operator to Cuba.  The carrier's sole aircraft was delivered to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) by the lessor, but it did not receive authorization to start service from the ANAC Argentine civil aviation organization.   

* Andes Lineas Aereas - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Tucuman (TUC) - Cayo Largo (CYO) - 07Jan23 - 737-800 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Charters for tour operator to Cuba.  The carrier's sole aircraft was delivered to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) by the lessor, but it did not receive authorization to start service from the ANAC Argentine civil aviation organization.   

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis (FLN) - 01Jan23 - 737-800 - 2x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal summer increased frequency until mid-March 2023.

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 02Jan23 - 737-800 - 3x/daily - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service increase from 2x/daily until early April.

* GOL Linhas Aereas - Florianopolis (FLN) - Cordoba (COR) - 01Jan23 - 737-800, 737 MAX 8 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until 28Feb23

* GOL Linhas Aereas - Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - Montevideo (MVD) - 07Jan23 - 737MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until end of February

* Iberia - Madrid (MAD) - Montevideo (MVD) - 01Jan23 - A330 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 5x/weekly, year-round service

* LADE - Miramar (MRJ) - Villa Gesell (VLG) - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - 02Jan23 - Twin Otter - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service until end of February.

* LATAM Peru - Lima (LIM) - Cordoba (COR) - 01Jan23 - A319 / A320 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly.  Returning to 4x/weekly in February.

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: Andes LIneas Aereas steady growth in late 2017 / early 2018

Andes Lineas Aereas was reported by various news outlets to be planning the following new routes over the last few months.  Most of the scheduled flights have been verified by the editor of this blog as currently in operation but they might have started later than originally announced.  

All routes are operated by MD-83's or 737-800's or a combination of both. 

Scheduled Service

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Tucuman (TUC) - eff 21Nov17 - 6x/weekly

The route was originally announced as going on to Jujuy (JUJ) after stopping in Tucuman (TUC) but the airline is currently flying Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Jujuy (JUJ) non-stop and might not have ever started Jujuy (JUJ) as an extension of Tucuman (TUC).   
  
Summer 2018 - Seasonal Service - Scheduled

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Punta del Este, Uruguay (PDP) - eff 22Dec17 - 5x/weekly

This marks the first scheduled international service by Andes although the airline has flown charter series for tour companies to Brazil and the Caribbean plus occasional international ad hoc charters for professional sports teams, in addition to the large number of Argentine domestic student and sports charters that it has flown for many years. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - eff 27Dec17 - 3x/weekly

This is a resumption of the route that Andes flew in summer 2017.

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) or Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis, Brazil (FLN) - eff January 2018

Summer 2018 - Seasonal Service - Charters

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Varadero, Cuba (VRA) - eff 30Dec17 - 1x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porlamar, Venezuela (PMV) - eff 30Dec17 - 2x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Samana, Dominican Republic (AZS) - eff Dec 2017 ? - 1x/weekly

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cabo Frio, Brazil (CFB) - eff January 2018

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro, Brazil (BPS) - eff January 2018

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Salvador, Brazil (SSA) - eff January 2018

* Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis, Brazil (FLN) - eff 04Nov17-31Mar18

* Cordoba (COR) - Cabo Frio, Brazil (CFB) - eff January 2018 (?)

Ongoing Charters

* Cordoba (COR) - Maceio, Brazil (MCZ) - eff 07Apr18

This is a new charter service contracted by tour operators for sale to customers buying tour packages.  It is intended as a year-round service to this beach resort in northeastern Brazil subsidized by the local state government in the form of reduced fuel taxes to incentivize flights that will help fill local hotels in the offseason.     

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171102/avn-171102.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171221/avn-171221.html
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/11/andes-confirma-vuelos-punta-del-este-mar-del-plata-verano/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171123/avn-171123.html
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/09/novedades-aerocomerciales-en-cordoba_14.html
https://aviacionline.com/2018/02/andes-operara-vuelos-charter-entre-cordoba-y-maceio/

Andes Lineas Aereas will fly families of Argentine soldiers fallen in the South Atlantic War to the islands on 26Mar18

Two chartered Andes Lineas Aereas MD-83's will fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to the Mt. Pleasant Royal Air Force base on the Malvinas/Falklands islands on 26Mar18 carrying 180 family members of 88 Argentine soldiers buried in the Argentine War Memorial Cemetery at Darwin. 

The 88 soldiers were identified last year by a team from the Argentine Forensic Society assisted by specialists from Australia, Chile, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the International Red Cross through the use of DNA samples.  The British authorities will reportedly hand over personal belongings of the previously unidentified soldiers to the families.  

The charter of these aircraft and all of the costs on the islands associated with this journey are being paid for by Eduardo Eurnekian, president of Corporacion America, owner of Aeropuertos Argentina 2000, which runs most of the airports in Argentina that have airline service (and some that do not).  A Gulfstream business jet owned by Mr. Eurnekian and a chartered American Jet Fairchild Metro 23 freighter (also paid for by Mr. Eurnekian) will also fly to the islands, the latter carrying new tombstones with the fallen soldiers' names on them to replace the existing ones bearing the legend "Argentine Soldier only known to God".    

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn180222/avn-180222.html
https://www.clarin.com/politica/familiares-caidos-viajaran-darwin-aviones-privados-ezeiza-26-marzo_0_SyAc3Lxdz.html

FLEET UPDATE: Andes received its 4th 737-800 on 28Jan18

Andes Lineas Aereas' fourth 737-800, LV-HLK (c/n 30883/783), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 28Jan18 after its delivery flight from Shannon (SNN) via Sal, Cape Verde (SID) and Natal (NAT).

Andes is expected to take delivery of at least two more 737-800's with this type expected to eventually replace the carrier's MD-80 fleet.  Nonetheless, Andes reportedly might add another MD-80 to its fleet in the short term.   

Per flightradar.com and other sources, LV-HLK had not entered service as of this writing.

Source:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/el-cuarto-para-andes.html

FLEET UPDATE: Andes added Christmas stickers to 737-800 LV-WGL

UPDATED 10Feb18:  Andes Lineas Aereas 737-800, LV-WGL (c/n 30007/746), sporting special Christmas stickers taxis at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 08Feb18. (Phil Perry Photo)  

Andes added Christmas stickers to 737-800, LV-WGL (c/n 30007/746), the first 800 to join its fleet back in May 2017.  The stickers consist of a jovial Santa Claus on the lower tail and bag tags with the three-letter codes of the twelve destinations that it serves with regularly-scheduled service.

FLEET UPDATE: Andes third 737-800 arrived in Argentina on 13Dec17

Andes Lineas Aereas' third 737-800, LV-HKZ (c/n 30882/760), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on its delivery flight on 13Dec17.  The aircraft was originally delivered to Hapag Lloyd in 2001 and continued to fly in Germany for Air Berlin and most recently TUIfly before joining Andes.

Andes' fleet currently consists of five active MD-83's, including three that previously flew with Austral and two that served with Spanair, plus three 737-800's with more 800's expected to eventually replace all of its MD-80 fleet.  

The carrier dramatically expanded its regularly-scheduled network from four to eleven cities in 2017 with new destinations including Bariloche (BRC), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Mar del Plata (MDP), Mendoza (MDZ), Tucuman (TUC) and its first scheduled international service to Punta del Este (PDP) in Uruguay.  All points are primarily served from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP).

Andes' most important business has traditionally been charters, especially to summer destinations, for the student vacation market and for professional sports teams, markets which it is maintaining while it grows its scheduled network.    

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/tercer-800-de-andes-en-ezeiza.html 

Andes paints "Vamos Argentina" logo on its second 737-800, LV-HHK

POST UPDATE ON 26NOV17:  Andes Lineas Aereas 737-800, LV-HHK (c/n 30567/ 761), sporting a special "Vamos Argentina" sticker at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 26Nov17.  (Phil Perry Photo)   

Andes Lineas Aereas, a privately-owned Argentine carrier with a fleet of approx. five MD-80 series aircraft plus two 737-800's which were delivered earlier this year, painted a "Vamos Argentina" (Let's Go Argentina) sticker on its second 737-800, LV-HHK (c/n 30567/761), in support of the national football/soccer team's efforts to qualify for the Football/Soccer World Cup finals in Russia 2018.

The aircraft flew a charter with the Argentine national team from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Guayaquil (GYE) on 08Oct17 for its match with Ecuador on 10Oct17, which it won 3-1, qualifying Argentina for the finals in Russia next year.   

The sticker will hopefully stay on the aircraft until after the tournament, which will conclude on 15Jul18 in Moscow.

Additional Photos:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/10/nuevo-logojet.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/10/la-seleccion-en-andes.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS & ROUTE UPDATES - Update on Five Carriers that participated in Argentine Route Hearings on 27Dec16

Five proposed or existing carriers participated in the route hearings held on 27Dec16, the first in Argentina in over ten years; Alas del Sur, American Jet, Andes Lineas Aereas, Avianca Argentina, and Flybondi.  Here is an update on the status of the service plans of these five airlines:

* Alas del Sur - PROPOSED - NEVER STARTED - AS OF 30May20

      
Not too many details ever surfaced regarding this carrier that was proposed to start with Argentine and Chinese investors flying domestically in Argentina but also with ambitious international routes, such as Cordoba (COR) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Los Angeles (LAX) - Shanghai Pudong (PVG).  As of this writing, this carrier appears to be on hold.

* American Jet

This company is over 30 years old with its headquarters at San Fernando (FDO) north of Buenos Aires, known as Argentina's primary "biz jet" airport, but with its main operational bases in Mendoza (MDZ) and Neuquen (NQN) serving the oil industry with charter and support aircraft and helicopters, including one ATR-42, several Fairchild Metros and one Dornier 228.

The carrier was approved for several routes emanating from Neuquen (NQN) to other parts of Argentina and even extending into Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay but not many specific plans have emerged with the only information coming from the Sir Chandler blog that American Jet has scaled back its plans to only fly the following routes with a single CRJ-200:   

Malargüe (LGS) – Neuquén (NQN) – Mendoza (MDZ)
Neuquén (NQN) – Temuco, Chile (ZCO)

Neuquén (NQN) – Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD)

* Andes Lineas Aereas

Andes is the only carrier to add new service so far as a result of the 27Dec16 route hearings.  

The airline, which at the beginning of 2017 was operating four MD-83's, has since added a fifth to its fleet plus the first two of several 737-800's that are eventually planned to replace all of its MD-80's.    

The Salta (SLA) based carrier had a modest scheduled route network that consisted of only four cities prior to 2017; Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Jujuy (JUJ), Puerto Madryn (PMY) and Salta (SLA) but has since expanded at a brisk rate adding seven more; Bariloche (BRC), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Mar del Plata (MDQ) (seasonal), Mendoza (MDZ), Rio Hondo (RHD) (to be replaced by Tucuman (TUC) when it reopens) and Samana (AZS) in the Dominican Republic. 

In addition to its scheduled business, Andes has an extensive operation flying student and sports team charters.

* Avianca Argentina

This affiliate of the well-known Colombian airline plans to fly to smaller cities using ATR-72-600 aircraft with many of its proposed routes connecting Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) with two smaller cities flying a "triangle" pattern.

Avianca Argentina has already taken delivery of two ATR-72-600's with a third and fourth expected soon.  The carrier has flown sub-services for Andes Lineas Aereas, which experienced a capacity shortage in July, plus several charters to Malargue, serving the ski resort of Las Lenas, and the occasional ad hoc charter too.     

Flybondi's planned dedicated terminal at El Palomar (EPA) (via aviacionline.com)

* Flybondi

The founders of this carrier have strong airline credentials having worked extensively in the industry in Europe, with solid experience in the Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) sector too.  

Julian Cook, ex-CEO of Swiss carrier FlyBaboo; Michael Cawley, ex-COO of Ryanair; and Michael Powell, ex-CFO of WizzAir have put together a business plan based primarily on flying out of alternative airport El Palomar (EPA) located fifteen miles west of the city of Buenos Aires to several domestic points and some regional international South American destinations too.    

Flybondi reportedly recently closed an important funding round of US$ 75 million with investments from Cartesian Capital Group and Yamasa Limited.  

It plans to build its own facilities at El Palomar (EPA), including a terminal with a typically simple LCC design featuring no jetways plus a new ramp and taxiways, with the entire project budgeted at US$ 30 million.  

The carrier planned to start operations with six 737-800's in late 2017 / early 2018, eventually growing to a fleet of 25 aircraft, but has only signed a lease on a single 737-800 so far. 

Flybondi also recently signed an agreement with Cordoba (COR) to base a hub operation there. The airline would start by overnighting its first two 737-800's in Cordoba (COR), operating 21 weekly flights from the "Mediterranean City", as it is known, in 2017, increasing to 35 weekly flights in 2018, 61 in 2019, 68 in 2020 and 71 in 2021.

Joining Aerolineas Argentinas, Avianca Argentina, and Norwegian Air Argentina in establishing hubs in Cordoba (COR), the four carriers would collectively grow service out of the central Argentina airport several times over if all of their plans come to fruition. 

Sources:

http://americanjet.com.ar/en/
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Jet
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/07/american-jet-busca-incorporar-algun-crj-nuevos-vuelos/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/07/asi-sera-la-terminal-de-flybondi-en-el-palomar/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/07/flybondi-firmo-convenio-con-cordoba-para-establecer-alli-su-primer-hub/
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/08/flybondi-cerro-una-nueva-ronda-de-inversion-de-us-75-millones/

FLEET UPDATE: Andes receives its second 737-800, LV-HHK

Andes Lineas Aereas received its second 737-85F, LV-HHK (c/n 30567/761), when the aircraft arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on the late afternoon of 16Jul17 painted all-white with the only color being the Andes logo on the engines.  The aircraft was delivered to South African Airways in January 2001 and also flew for Firefly and Malaysia Airlines before recently arriving in Argentina.       

LV-HHK is the seventh aircraft in the currently active Andes fleet, joining five MD-83's and one other recently-delivered 737-800. 

The airline has recently been experiencing frequent severe delays with many flights operating 8-10 hours late.  Andes has recently added a lot of new scheduled routes to complement its existing services and extensive charter operations but the new aircraft to accommodate this growth, one MD-83 and two 737-800's, were delivered weeks/months later than expected, which presumably led to an equipment shortage and flights being rescheduled, sometimes hours at a time to be able to complete all of the airline's flight commitments each day. 

The new deliveries will presumably lead to a reduction in the number of long flight delays. 

Source:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/07/segundo-737-para-andes.html

FLEET UPDATE: Andes adds 5th MD-80 LV-BEG to its active fleet

Austral MD-83, LV-BEG (c/n 49630/1591), taxiing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 01Oct10 prior to its retirement from service with the carrier in April 2012. (Phil Perry Photo)

Andes Lineas Aereas added MD-83, LV-BEG (c/n 49630/1591), to its fleet when the aircraft arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 08Jul17.  It is the airline's  5th currently active MD-83 and seventh active aircraft overall including its two recently delivered 737-800's. 

LV-BEG was delivered to Spanair in 1989 joining Austral on 21Mar06 until its retirement in April 2012 and subsequent storage at San Juan (UAQ) from 10Apr12 until September 2014.  Shortly after that the MD-83 entered service with Sanford (SFB) Florida-based charter carrier Orange Air registered as N926AV until June 2017, just prior to its return to Argentina to fly for Andes.  

Welcome Home ! ! !  

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/07/naranjin-en-salta.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/search?q=lv-beg
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Andes%20Lineas%20Aereas-active-md80.htm

ROUTE UPDATES: Avianca Argentina starts flying subservices and charters, not regularly scheduled flights

Avianca Argentina flew its first commercial services on 12Jul17 operating subservices for Andes Lineas Aereas that has been experiencing severely delayed flights, apparently due to delays in the addition of more aircraft to its fleet.   

Avianca Argentina's two ATR-72-600's, LV-GUG (c/n 1343) and LV-GUH (c/n 1395), flew from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Jujuy (JUJ) and Salta (SLA) respectively, in the early evening of Wednesday, 12Jul17 somewhat unexpectedly and with no prior announcement.  The aircraft operated services that would normally be operated by Andes' MD-80's or its single 737-800.

Three days later on Saturday, 15Jul17, the airline's two ATR-72-600's again flew commercial services in the form of three charter flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to the small airport of Malargue (LGS) that serves the well-known Argentine ski resort of Las Lenas.  The airline reportedly has a contract to operate several more such charters through mid-August. 

It was originally announced that Avianca Argentina would start regularly scheduled services on 11Jul17 from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Resistencia (RES) replacing the flights operated by the ex-Macair Jetstreams that it acquired when it bought the small carrier in 2016 but scheduled flights have apparently been delayed until approximately October 2017.

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/07/avianca-de-la-mano-de-andes.html

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/07/avianca-argentina-arranca-hoy-charters-las-lenas/

PHOTO GALLERY: Andes MD-83 LV-WGM painted in Travel Rock colors with variations from same scheme in 2015

Andes MD-83, LV-WGM (c/n 49784/1627), in the special Travel Rock billboard scheme at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 11Jul17.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

The same aircraft in the same scheme at Aeroparque on 10Dec15 but with a few differences as described below.  (Phil Perry Photo)

The Travel Rock logo on the front of the aircraft previously had the wording "TRAVEL ROCK TRAVEL COMPANY" but it now reads "TRAVEL ROCK, ROCK YOUR LIFE".

Previously there was script lettering above the billboard titles with the legend "La compania de viajes de egresados mas grande del mundo" (the largest company in the world of graduating student trips) in reference to Travel Rock but those are not there now. 

The "ROCK YOUR LIFE" logo on the engine now replaces what in 2015 was at first a simple logo followed by the brown colors illustrated above. 

This year the tail has the new-style "andes" lettering on the tail compared to the "TRAVEL ROCK TRAVEL COMPANY" logo painted there in 2015.  

ROUTE UPDATES: Andes Lineas Aereas adds several new routes

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio Hondo (RHD) - eff 23May17

Operated using MD-80's 3x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Cordoba (COR) - Samana (AZS) - eff 27May17

Operated using 737-800 / MD-80's 1x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 19Jun17

Operated using 737-800 / MD-80's 5x/weekly. 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 03Jul17

Operated using MD-80's 5x/weekly. 

Andes will soon have ten cities in its scheduled route network; Bariloche (BRC), Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Jujuy (JUJ), Mar del Plata (MDQ) (seasonal), Mendoza (MDZ), Puerto Madryn (PMY), Rio Hondo (RHD), and Salta (SLA), its home base.

The carrier also flies charters, especially for sports teams and school vacations to Bariloche (BRC) from points all over Argentina. 

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170511/avn-170511.html

FLEET UPDATE: Andes Lineas Aereas takes delivery of its first 737-800

Andes Lineas Aereas took delivery of 737-85F, LV-GWL (c/n 30007/746) on 19May17, the first 737-800 in its fleet.  The aircraft was first delivered to South African Airways in 2001 and went on to fly for Firefly and Malaysia Airlines before going to Andes.  It arrived at Andes' home base of Salta (SLA) on 21May17.

LV-GWL joins four MD-80's currently in the Andes fleet with 1-2 more MD-80's and one 737-800 expected to be added before the end of 2017.  Despite the addition of MD-80's to the fleet this year, they are all expected to be replaced by 737-800's during 2018.  

The new aircraft acquisitions will enable the airline to take on several new scheduled routes that are being added to its network under the new liberalized Argentine air transportation policy implemented by Argentine President Mauricio Macri's administration.

Sources:

http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/andes-recibio-su-primer-boeing-737-800-lv-gwl/
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Andes%20Lineas%20Aereas.htm
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/05/andes-nuevo-vuelo-desde-aeroparque-hasta-republica-dominicana/