ROUTE UPDATES: October 2024 - Part 3 - Gol, Iberia, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, LATAM Peru, Level, Paranair, Sky

Route Updates - October 2024 - Part 3

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  

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Montevideo (MVD) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - 28Oct24 - 737 Series - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 3x/weekly

* Iberia - Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 26Oct24 - A350-900, A330-200 - 3x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 17x/weekly.  A350-900 17x/weekly plus A330-200 on the additional 4x/weekly  

* LATAM Brasil - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - 27Oct24 - A320 Series - 34x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 23x/weekly. Collective increase in frequency from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) by LATAM Brasil, Chile and Peru of 27% compared to April - October 2024.

* LATAM Chile - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santiago (SCL) - 27Oct24 - A320 Series - 28x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency out of AEP from 26x/weekly. Collective increase in frequency from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) by LATAM Brasil, Chile and Peru of 27% compared to April - October 2024.

* LATAM Peru - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Lima (LIM) - 27Oct24 - A320 Series - 14x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency out of AEP from 9x/weekly. Collective increase in frequency from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) by LATAM Brasil, Chile and Peru of 27% compared to April - October 2024.

* Level - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Barcelona (BCN) - 25Oct24 - A330 Series - 7x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 6x/weekly

* Paranair - Asuncion (ASU) - Montevideo (MVD) - Salto (STY) - Montevideo (MVD) - Asuncion (ASU) - 08Oct24 - CRJ-200 - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Uruguayan government authorized Paranair of Paraguay to operate Uruguayan domestic flights between Montevideo (MVD) and Salto (STY) under "8th Freedom Rights".

* Sky Airline - Lima (LIM) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 15Oct24 - A320neo, A321neo - 7x/weekly - Remarks: Increasing frequency from 4x/weekly

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Aeropaeque (AEP) - 15Oct24 - A320neo - 2x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency 

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 15Oct24 - A320neo, A321neo - 2x/daily - Remarks: Increasing frequency 

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

ROUTE UPDATES: July 2024 - Part 3 - Flybondi, Gol, Iberia, Jetsmart Argentina, LATAM Brasil, Sky

Route Updates - July 2024 - Part 3

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  

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) / Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul24 - 737-800 - 37x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 27x/weekly for Winter Season  

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) / Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to El Calafate (FTE) - xxJul24 - 737-800 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 4x/weekly for Winter Season  

* Flybondi - Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) / Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Ushuaia (USH) - xxJul24 - 737-800 - 11x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency for Winter Season  

* Flybondi - Cordoba (COR) to Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul24 - 737-800 - 1x/daily - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 3x/weekly for Winter Season  

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Belo Horizonte (CNF) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 06Jul24 - 737 MAX 8 - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Year-round service (was Seasonal Summer Service previously)

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Recife (REC) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 06Jul24 - 737 Series - 2x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 1x/weekly until 04Aug24

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJul24 - 737 Series -11x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 1x/daily for the winter

* Gol Linhas Aereas - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Mendoza (MDZ) - xxJul24 - 737 Series - 6x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 4x/daily during July and August

* Iberia - Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - xxJul24 - A330-200, A350-900 - 3x/daily - Remarks:  Seasonal Winter Service (southern hemisphere) increase in frequency from 17x/weekly - Frequency verification by editor in July indicated still 17x/weekly, not 3x/daily

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Curitiba (CWB) - 11Jul24 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service until September (?) 

* Jetsmart Argentina - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Alegre (POA) - 12Jul24 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Route did not start up due to floods in Porto Alegre region, including the Porto Alegre airport

* LATAM Brasil - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul24 - A320neo - 1x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Winter Service (?)

* LATAM Brasil - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Bariloche (BRC) - 05Jul24 - A320ceo - 5x/weekly - Remarks: Charter flights for travel agencies, apparently complementing regularly-scheduled seasonal winter flights

* Sky Airline - Santiago (SCL) - Bariloche (BRC) - xxJul24 - A320 Series - 3x/weekly - Remarks: Increase in frequency from 2x/weekly for the winter

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

ROUTE UPDATES: March 2024 - Part 2 - Iberia, Jetsmart Chile, Paranair

Route Updates - March 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 usually not verified by your editor.

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

* Iberia - Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 31Mar24 - A330-200, A350-900 - 17x/weekly - Remarks: Seasonal Summer Service (northern hemisphere) increase in frequency from 2x/daily

* Jetsmart Chile - Concepcion (CCP) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - 20Mar24 - A320-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks:  

* Jetsmart Chile - Santiago (SCL) - Mendoza (MDZ) - 04Mar24 - A320-200, A320neo, A321neo - 4x/weekly - Remarks: Restart of route after a 5-year absence

* Paranair - Asuncion (ASU) - Cordoba (COR) - 06Mar24 - CRJ-200 - 3x/weekly - Remarks: 

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

www.aviacionline.com
www.aviacionnews.com

www.flightradar24.com

www.flightstats.com

www.sirchandler.com

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

Route Updates - August 2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 - January 2022 - Part 10 - Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Iberia

Route Updates - January 2022 - Part 10

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started on the indicated dates.  Most, maybe all, 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.

Airline                      Origin                             Destination                 Eff Date      Type                  Frequency  

Air France               Paris Charles                  Buenos Aires               10Jan22       787-9                5x/weekly

                                 de Gaulle (CDG)             Ezeiza (EZE)

Remarks: Increase from 3x/weekly.

British Airways       London Heathrow           Buenos Aires               10Jan22       A350-1000        1x/daily                                             (LHR)                              Ezeiza (EZE)

Remarks: Now stopping in Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) instead of flying nonstop.

Air Canada              Montreal (YUL)               Buenos Aires               12Jan22       777-300            3x/weekly

                                                                         Ezeiza (EZE)

Remarks: Via Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU)

Iberia                        Madrid (MAD)                 Buenos Aires              13Jan22       A330-200/         10x/weekly

                                                                          Ezeiza (EZE)                                  A350-900

Remarks: Increase from 1x/daily.

                                

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: May 2021 - Iberia, Cubana

Route Updates - May 2021

The following airlines / flights are confirmed to have started or re-started on the indicated dates.  Most, maybe all, 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.

Airline                      Origin                             Destination                      Eff Date     Type           Frequency   

Iberia                        Madrid (MAD)                 Montevideo (MVD)           18May21    A330-200    5x/weekly  

* Remarks: Increase from 3x weekly 

Cubana                     Havana (HAV)                Buenos Aires                    30May21    IL-96-300   2x/monthly                                                                                     Ezeiza (EZE)

* Remarks: Restart of service that operated in December 2020 and January 2021 that also included Cayo Coco      

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina "Regular" Flights Restart - #4 of 4 - European, US & Worldwide Carriers - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) Departures - Week of 07-13Dec

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

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

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

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

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

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

Air Europa A330-200, EC-LNH ? (c/n 551), at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 30Jun15.  The airline has retired nearly all of its A330's in favor of 787-8's and 787-9's.  (Phil Perry Photo)  

Services operated during the week of 07-13Dec:

Europe:

Air Europa - Operated 2 flights to Madrid (MAD) using 787-9 - 4 flights per week fewer than normal  

Air France - Operated 4 flights to Paris - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) using 3 787-9 and 1 777-300 - 3 flights per week fewer than normal

British Airways - 5 flights to London-Heathrow (LHR), all with 787-9 - about 1 or 2 flights per week fewer than normal  

Iberia - 6 flights to Madrid (MAD), 5 with A350-900 and 1 with A330-200 - 9 flights per week fewer than normal  

KLM - Operated 5 flights to Amsterdam (AMS) using 777-300 - 1 flight per week fewer than normal  

Level - Operated 2 flights to Barcelona (BCN) using A330-200 - 2 flights per week fewer than normal  

Lufthansa - Operated 3 flights to Frankfurt (FRA) using 747-8 - 4 flights per week fewer than normal  

Lufthansa Cargo - Operated 3 flights to Frankfurt (FRA), sometimes stopping in Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), using MD-11F - 1 flight per week more than normal  

Martinair Holland - Operated 1 flight to Quito (UIO) - Amsterdam (AMS), using 747-400F - 1 flight per week fewer than normal  

Swiss International - Operated 2 flights to Zurich (ZRH) using 777-300 

Turkish - Operated 4 flights to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Istanbul (IST) using 787-9 

United States:

American - Operated 7 flights to Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) using 787-8 - same number of flights per week as in the past but with a smaller aircraft than the previous 777-200  

American - Operated 7 flights to Miami (MIA) using 777-200 - 7 flights per week fewer than normal  

United - Operated 3 flights to Houston Intercontinental (IAH) using 787-9 - 4 flights per week fewer than normal and with a smaller aircraft than the previous 777-200   

Worldwide:

Ethiopian - Operated 1 flight to Addis Ababa (ADD) using 787-8 - 6 flights per week fewer than normal  

Qatar Cargo - Operated 4 flights to Doha (DOH), sometimes stopping in Quito (UIO), using 777-200F - 1 flight per week more than normal  

Comments:

* The 787 series of aircraft is increasingly popular on flights to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) with nine carriers currently operating the -8 and -9 versions to the city's intercontinental airport; Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, American, Avianca, British Airways, Ethiopian, Turkish, and United plus possibly two more, Air Canada and Norwegian, if and when they resume service to EZE.  This compares to six airlines flying the 787 to EZE in June 2018.    

* Air New Zealand and Emirates have already announced that they will not resume flights to Argentina, either now or when the pandemic is over.

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

https://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Air%20Europa.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia added the A350-900 between Madrid (MAD) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 25Feb19

Iberia Airlines started operating the A350-900 on the Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) route on 25Feb19, the first Latin American airport to see service with this type by IB and the second overall after New York Kennedy (JFK).  The type was scheduled to operate one of Iberia's two daily flights between the Spanish and Argentine capitals. 

The equipment change apparently continues to this day as the Spanish  carrier has operated the type on its authorized "special flights" on this route several times in the past week (regularly-scheduled flights have not returned to Argentina yet).

Iberia was scheduled to receive a total of 16 A350-900's by 2021, although the delivery schedule might have been pushed back due to COVID-19. 

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn190228/avn-190228.html

FLEET UPDATE & ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia to introduce first upgraded A350-900 between Madrid (MAD) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 08Mar19

Iberia A350-900 artist's impression. (Image: Iberia Airlines)

UPDATE 10May18:

Iberia recently clarified that it loaded the A350-900 in its reservation system as operating between Madrid (MAD) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) starting in March 2019 only as a test and it did not signal an actual change of aircraft for one of its two daily flights between the two cities from the A340-600 to the A350-900.  The airline plans to continue operating two daily A340-600 flights between the Spanish and Argentine capitals. 

ORIGINAL POSTING:

Iberia will take delivery of the first of 16 Airbus A350-900's that it has on order in June of this year.  After placing the aircraft into initial service on some European routes to familiarize flight crews and other staff with the type, Iberia  will start flying the A350 on its first regular route, Madrid (MAD) - London-Heathrow (LHR) in July, followed by its first long-haul service, Madrid (MAD) - New York Kennedy (JFK), in August. 

The A350-900's second long-haul international route will be Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) starting on 08Mar19 when it will replace one of two daily A340-600's currently flying this sector.

Upgraded Version's Aerodynamic Improvements = Lower Fuel Burn + More Range

Interestingly, Iberia will be the first airline to take delivery of the upgraded version of the A350-900 with aerodynamic improvements resulting in a 1% increase in fuel efficiency and a 100 nautical mile increase in range to 8,200nm for Iberia's 280 ton version. These modifications include:

1) A change in the "spanwise twist distribution" of the wing to change the pressure distribution of the wing. 

2) Larger "sharklets" made possible by greater wing strength discovered during static load testing.  The larger "sharklets" and modified twist of the wing together will lower the aircraft's induced drag. 

3) Structural improvements lowering the operational empty weight of the aircraft.  

Sources:

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/278395/iberia-adds-a350-buenos-aires-service-from-march-2019/ via Eric Trum

https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/03/21/iberia-a350-routes/

http://www.transponder1200.com/iberia-desplegara-el-airbus-a350-entre-madrid-y-buenos-aires/

https://leehamnews.com/2018/01/31/iberia-get-upgraded-a350-900/

ROUTE UPDATES: New Montevideo (MVD) Service Announcements in 2016 - PART 1

New service announcements for Montevideo (MVD) in 2016 - Part 1:

* Iberia - Montevideo (MVD) - Madrid (MAD) increasing 3x to 5x Weekly - eff 03Feb16

Iberia recently increased its nonstop service between these two cities and now operates this route using its new A330-200's.  

The Spanish airline flew the route several years ago only to cancel the service in 2013 which was replaced soon thereafter by Air Europa.  After Iberia underwent some restructuring, it restarted flights between Spain and Uruguay on 01Sep14 using A340-300's and today both airlines operate the route with A330-200's with 8x/weekly flights between them.      

* Amaszonas Paraguay - Montevideo (MVD) - Asuncion (ASU) - eff 18Mar16

The Paraguayan affiliate of Amaszonas Bolivia started service between the Uruguayan and Paraguayan capitals in March using CRJ-200's on a 3x/weekly basis.  Subsequent to this new service, the Amaszonas Group took the remains of BQB Lineas Aereas that it acquired in 2015 and used them to formally establish Amaszonas Uruguay, which currently also flies the Montevideo (MVD) - Asuncion (ASU) route 7x/weekly, complementing Amaszonas Paraguay's service for a total of 10x/weekly flights on the route by airlines from the group. 

* Gol Transportes Aereos - Montevideo (MVD) - Recife (REC) - eff June 2016 

Gol recently started 1x/weekly service on Saturdays between the Uruguayan capital and the northeastern Brazilian city of Recife using 737-800's.  

Sources:

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/250275/iberia-increases-montevideo-flights-from-feb-2016/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160204/avn-160204.html
http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2016/03/amaszonas-paraguay-llega-montevideo.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160616/avn-160616.html

EDITORIAL: Potential Boeing 787 Routes to Argentina & Uruguay

With the ever-increasing number of Boeing 787's being delivered to airlines, new routes are opening up worldwide that were previously economically unviable due to limited demand, such as Boston (BOS) - Tokyo Narita (NRT) by Japan Air Lines and Boston (BOS) - Beijing (PEK) operated by Hainan Airlines.

The 787 is ideal for long-range routes with limited passenger traffic that until recently could only be operated by larger and less fuel-efficient airliners, such as the 767-300ER, A340-500, 747-400, etc., but that were too large for the amount of demand on such routes. 

Thinking of Argentina and Uruguay, several routes come to mind that are now served on a limited basis, less efficiently than they could be, or not served at all.      

Montevideo (MVD) - Miami (MIA) is currently flown by American Airlines with 767-300's daily in the southern hemisphere summer and 6x/weekly the rest of the year but could probably be served much more efficiently and profitably with the 787 as there are probably many dates when the present flights are not very full. 

Montevideo (MVD) - Madrid (MAD) service was dropped by Iberia in 2013 and picked up by Air Europa with Iberia currently scheduled to restart service.  If the 787 were flown on this route the service would probably be more profitable and stable and less marginal like it is now which has resulted in airlines adding/dropping the route.      

Cordoba (COR) - Miami (MIA) would be an ideal route for American Airlines with 787's.  Indeed, American was seriously looking to start this route in the early 2000's but put these plans on hold after the 2001 Argentine economic crisis.  Cordoba, with a population of 1.2 million people, is Argentina's second-largest city after Buenos Aires and is known for its universities, extensive farming and its manufacturing industry, especially automobiles.  It is also located in Argentina's geographic center with important cities nearby, such as Rosario, the nation's third-largest city which would probably provide passenger traffic to Miami flights from Cordoba. 

Cordoba (COR) - Madrid (MAD) was flown by Iberia with A340's for 15 months until January 2012 but the Spanish carrier dropped the route due to lack of aircraft and marginal profitability despite good passenger loads.  Air Europa would like to start this route through a connecting hub that it is planning to establish in Salvador, Brazil (SSA) for flights from Madrid to several South American cities but it has yet to gain approval from the Argentine aviation authorities.  This route would be ideal on a non-stop basis with the more fuel-efficient 787 probably being a lot more profitable and sustainable than the A340 was.

ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia reinstated Madrid (MAD) - Montevideo (MVD) service on 01Sep14

A little over a year after dropping Madrid (MAD) - Montevideo (MVD) service when the carrier was going through financial difficulties, Iberia restarted the route on 01Sep14 3x/weekly with A340-300's.  The very first flight was operated by A340-642X, EC-LFS (c/n 1122) painted in the airline's new colors. 

Iberia's flights were Uruguay's only direct service to Europe at the time that the airline dropped the Madrid (MAD) route but Air Europa and Air France came in to fill the void shortly thereafter, the latter with same plane service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).   

Sources:

http://airlineroute.net/2014/04/25/ib-mvd-sep14/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140424/avn-140424.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140904/avn-140904.html

BQB Announces Intention to Fly Montevideo (MVD) - Madrid (MAD) with 767-300ER's

BQB Lineas Aereas has announced its intention to operate the Montevideo (MVD) - Madrid (MAD) route six-times weekly effective April 2013 on a codeshare basis with Iberia now that the Spanish airline has officially announced that it will stop flying the route effective April 1.  The Uruguayan airline is looking to lease two 767-300ER's for the service, which it hopes to operate with Uruguayan pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, and mechanics.

Editor's Comments:  

The proposed service seems viable given that it would be operated on a codeshare basis with Iberia which means that seats on the flights would be sold using the Spanish airline's huge market presence, both through its own marketing resources and those of its oneworld airline alliance partners.  The codesharing would presumably extend on flights beyond Madrid (MAD) connecting to other European points served by Iberia, thereby enhancing the possibilities of this service.

At least for now, this would be the best way for Iberia to continue serving the Montevideo (MVD) to Europe market.  However, with reports that TAM will likely join the oneworld alliance as part of its merger with LAN, it might be better for Iberia to codeshare with TAM from Montevideo (MVD) to Sao Paulo (SAO) to Madrid (MAD) to keep the revenue in the oneworld alliance although such a service would not be nonstop to Madrid (MAD) as BQB's is planned to be. 

Source:  El Observador Uruguay 07Dec12

ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia Discontinuing Montevideo (MVD) - Madrid (MAD) Flights in April 2013

Iberia Airlines announced in mid-November that it was going to reduce flights between Montevideo (MVD) and Madrid (MAD) from six per week to five-times weekly on 01Jan13 only to recently announce that it is going to discontinue all service between the two cities effective next April.

The airline has recorded high load factors on the route with the first quarter of 2012 having 89% seat occupancy and the second quarter 84%.  

Editor's Comments:  While this might suggest good profitability, a lot depends on the average fare yield on the route.  Even with high load factors, if nearly all the tickets sold were discounted economy-class fares, Iberia might be losing money on the route.  On most routes, a full-service carrier like Iberia would need for 10% or more of the passengers to be higher-fare paying business travelers.     
There was speculation initially that LAN or COPA would replace Iberia on the route but neither carrier is authorized to fly between Montevideo (MVD) and Madrid (MAD) plus COPA does not have long-range aircraft for transoceanic flights nor would MVD-MAD fit into its route system.  The route would not make sense for LAN either as they would be competing with TAM, part of the same ownership group, whose flights from Montevideo (MVD) to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) connect to TAM's Madrid (MAD) flights.

BQB Lineas Aereas' owner Juan Carlos Lopez Mena has expressed interest in flying the route on a codeshare basis with Iberia.  How this would work given BQB's lack of long-range aircraft is uncertain but a reader of El Pais Uruguay online suggested that BQB might fly the A320 that they are supposed to receive early next year from Montevideo (MVD) to Guarulhos (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) connecting to Iberia.  But with LAN/TAM likely to stay in the oneworld airline alliance which Iberia also belongs to, this would seem unlikely because it would compete with TAM's Montevideo (MVD) flights to Guarulhos (GRU) connecting to Iberia to Madrid (MAD).  

Sources: Aviacion News 29Nov12
             El Observador Uruguay 01Dec12
             El Pais Uruguay 01Dec12

ROUTE UPDATES: Argentina & Uruguay Routes by American, BQB, Gol & Iberia

The following are among the more significant route changes to air service in Argentina and Uruguay recently:

Effective     Airline          Route                  Equip       Change

28Oct12    Gol              ROS-POA-GIG      737         New Service 5x/week      

28Oct12    American     EZE-MIA               777         3rd Daily Flight until 01Apr13

01Dec12    BQB            MVD-AEP              ATR-72    New Service 2x/day 
01Jan13     Iberia          MVD-MAD             A340       Reducing from 6x to 4x/weekly 

Iberia announced that it will reduce service from Montevideo (MVD) to Madrid (MAD) from six-times to four-times weekly, effective 01Jan13 to 31Mar13 and possibly for all of the year.  The flight frequency could even see further reductions.  The drop in flights is seen as part of Iberia's cost reduction program, which includes the furlough of 4,500 employees (claimed to be 6,000 by Iberia's unions).  

Sergio Banales, president of Uruguay's Asociacion de Agencias de Viajes (travel agency association) said that this is "terrible" for Uruguay's traveling public and travel agencies as Iberia operates the only direct flights from Uruguay to Europe.  

Editor's Comment:  There are many connections to Europe available from Montevideo (MVD) through Brazil's Sao Paulo (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) hubs but business and leisure travelers are always inclined to choose destinations with non-stop flights so incoming tourism and business travel to Uruguay will also likely be hurt.  

Source:  Aviacion News

              El Pais Uruguay 15Nov12

ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia operated last Cordoba, Argentina to Madrid Scheduled Flight on January 14 - Updated

Iberia operated its last flight from COR to MAD on Saturday, January 14 after serving the route for a little more than fifteen months.  The Spanish airline started flying to Argentina's second-largest city on October 1, 2010 with the service being flown mostly by A340-300's but also with the larger A340-600.  The route was operated both non-stop to Madrid and via Rio de Janeiro's Galeao Airport (GIG).  At one point, there was talk of trying to save the route by having the flight stop in Asuncion (ASU) Paraguay but that did not materialize.

Aircraft that operated the last flight was A340-300 EC-LKS per http://gscordoba.blogspot.com/

Below is a photo of Iberia A340-313 EC-GGS after finishing its landing run on COR's runway 18 on 21Apr11:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=2043087

Info Sources:  www.lavoz.com.ar,  http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com
Photo:           www.airliners.net