FLEET UPDATE: AR Jet 737-200 LV-ZYY - Still one 737-200 Flying in Argentina !

AR Jet is an Argentine charter airline based at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) that was founded in 2010.  It has flown its sole 737-236A, LV-ZYY, (c/n 21799/660) on a limited basis during that time, mostly for soccer teams and fans traveling to matches, such as for the Paraguayan Football Association in October 2013, the Boca Juniors - River Plate match in Cordoba in February 2014, the River Plate - San Lorenzo match in San Luis in May 2014 and other occasions as well. 
It was last spotted in Catamarca (CTC) in northwest Argentina on 31Jul14.

LV-ZYY, which was delivered to British Airways in 1980 as G-BGDJ also flew for Aerolineas Argentinas from 2002 to 2009.  It is believed to be the only 737-200 still in active service in Argentina.  

Photo of the aircraft in full AR Jet colors and titles in 2011:   

http://www.aviationcorner.net/show_photo_en.asp?id=235376

Photo of LV-ZYY more recently in AR Jet colors but with no titles:  
     
http://todalaaviacion.blogspot.com.ar/2013/10/lv-zyy-boeing-737200-de-vuelta-al-ruedo.html

Sources:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/ar-jet-quiere-cruzar-los-andes.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/07/lv-zyy-boeing-737-236a-cn-21799660.html

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

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

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

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

Sources:

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

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retires several A340's

Aerolineas Argentinas retired several aging A340's from service earlier this year as it has taken delivery of the final A330's that it currently has on order. 

LV-ZRA A340-211 (c/n 085) which originally flew with Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and passed to AR in 1999 was put into storage in March 2014. 

LV-ZPJ A340-211 (c/n 074) also originally flew with Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines and passed to AR in 1999 flying its last service with Aerolineas on 17May14 from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).  This aircraft is scheduled to undergo a major check after which it is rumored that it will be transferred to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina to serve as a VIP transport.

LV-BIT A340-313 (c/n 093) was originally delivered to Air Canada in 1995 and also flew for BWIA and Caribbean Airlines before joining Aerolineas in 2007. It was scheduled to fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Goodyear Municipal Airport, Arizona, USA on 22May14 for storage and possible scrapping.  

Fellow A340-312 LV-BMT (c/n 048) has also been stored at Goodyear since December 2013.   

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/mas-novedades-en-aerolineas-argentinas.html
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/07/lv-zra-airbus-a340-211-cn-085.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-85.htm
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/volaras-con-la-fuerza-aerea-argentina.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-74.htm
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/otro-airbus-340-que-retorna.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-93.htm
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-48.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: TAM reintroduced Cordoba (COR) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) service on 01Jul14

After a six-year absence from Cordoba (COR), TAM Brazilian Airlines reintroduced service to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) on 01Jul14 with 5x/weekly flights operated by A320 aircraft.  Service is expected to increase to daily flights by November. 

Cordoba (COR) is TAM's third city and fourth airport in Argentina with the carrier already flying A320 service to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) 3x/daily, Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 2x/daily and Rosario (ROS) 1x/daily.  The airline also has flights to Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 2x/daily.     

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140417/avn-140417.html
http://airlineroute.net/2014/05/30/jj-grucor-jul14/ via Eric Trum
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140501/avn-140501.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140703/avn-140703.html
www.flightstats.com

ROUTE UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas to reduce frequency between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Miami (MIA)

Aerolineas Argentinas will reduce its A330/A340 flights between Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Miami (MIA) from 14x/week to 10x/week effective September 2014 due to lowered demand resulting from the devaluation of the Argentine peso and weakness in the Argentine economy.

Source: 

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140703/avn-140703.html

PHOTO GALLERY: Argentine Fokker F-28's - #3 of 10+ - Aerolineas Argentinas LV-LOC (c/n 11083)

Aerolineas Argentinas F-28 Mk-1000, LV-LOC, (c/n 11083) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in 1978.  Note the small Aerolineas Argentinas titles and barely visible "Argentina 78" sticker by the front passenger door commemorating the 1978 World Cup hosted by Argentina.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

LV-LOC at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in March 1986 with large Aerolineas Argentinas titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

LV-LOC was delivered to Aerolineas Argentinas on 13Feb75 where it flew its entire commercial airline career until May 1995 when it was transferred to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina and re-registered as T-94.  The aircraft was scheduled to join the fleet of Austral in August 1991 and SASA (Sudamericana de Aviacion S.A.) in April 1994 but neither transfer was completed.  T-94 was withdrawn from use in Buenos Aires and broken up in June 1996.

Source:

http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/2010/04/lv-loc-fokker-f-28-fellowship-mk-1000.html      

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

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

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

Sources:

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

Volga-Dnepr AN-124 visits Bariloche (BRC) to transport Arsat-1 satellite to French Guyana

Volga-Dnepr Antonov AN-124-100 Ruslan, RA-82067 (c/n 9773052255117) visited Bariloche (BRC) on 30Aug14 where it picked up the first telecommunications satellite built in Argentina, Arsat 1, for delivery to French Guyana via Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).

The US$ 270 million satellite, which was manufactured by the Province of Rio Negro state entity, Invap, and the national government agency, Arsat, is scheduled to be launched into space orbit in mid-October.   

Photo:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/08/el-ruslan-en-bariloche.html

Source:

http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1723176-el-satelite-argentino-arsat-1-listo-para-su-lanzamiento

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of 737-8BK, LV-FSK, its 10th 737-800 and 32nd 737NG on 21Jun14

LV-FSK landing at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas' 10th 737-800 and 32nd 737NG, 737-8BK, LV-FSK, (c/n 41562/4960) arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 21Jun14 on its delivery flight from Boeing Field, Seattle (BFI) via Caracas (CCS).  The aircraft, one of three 737-8BK's on lease from CIT Leasing, first flew on 12Jun14, only nine days before its arrival in Argentina. 

A spectacular photo taken at BFI (via Linea ALA):

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/photo/417696/lv-fsk-aerolineas-argentinas-boeing-737-800/

Sources:

http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/lv-fsk-en-ezeiza.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/el-lv-fsk-rumbo-argentina.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2014/06/un-nuevo-boeing-737-800-para-aerolineas.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-b737ng.htm

ROUTE UPDATE: Boliviana de Aviacion introduced service from Santa Cruz de la Sierra (VVI) to Salta (SLA) on 15May14

Boliviana de Aviacion started service from Santa Cruz de la Sierra's Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) to Salta (SLA) on 15May14.  Flights will be operated 2x/weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays using 737-300's.  These are the only international flights from Salta, a city of 535,000 people in northwestern Argentina near the Bolivian, Chilean and Paraguayan borders.  

The new service is designed to reinforce tourism in Bolivia and northwestern Argentina and foster greater commercial and cultural ties between the two regions plus it will allow residents of Salta to connect to Boliviana's flights to Madrid (MAD), Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), and new service to Miami (MIA) set to start on 06Jun14.  Presently, "Saltenios" need to fly south to Buenos Aires before traveling onward to foreign destinations.

Boliviana already operates 9x/weekly service from Santa Cruz to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), also with its 10-strong 737-300/500 fleet. 

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140417/avn-140417.html
http://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2014/05/boa-llego-salta.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140522/avn-140522.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Boliviana%20de%20Aviacion.htm
www.flightstats.com

ROUTE UPDATE: Lufthansa to introduce the 747-8 on its Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Frankfurt (FRA) route on 26Oct14

Lufthansa is scheduled to replace the 747-400's that it currently operates on the Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Frankfurt (FRA) route with the 747-8 on 26Oct14 coinciding with the changeover by most international airlines to their winter schedules.  The German airline is the only foreign carrier to have consistently operated the 747 to Argentina in recent years with many airlines opting for smaller widebody types, such as the 777 and A340.  

An advance look at the type came about on 04Jun14 when Lufthansa brought 747-8 D-ABYD (c/n 37829/1453) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on an exceptional basis replacing the normal 747-400 flight.  It was reportedly the first time a 747-8 had visited Argentina, at least one belonging to the German carrier.   

The 747-8 is 5.6 meters (18.3 ft.) longer than the standard 747 models with Lufthansa operating the type with a total of 364 seats; 8 in First Class, 80 in Business, 32 in Premium Economy, and 244 in Economy.  

120 747-8's had been ordered through the end of May 2014; 51 of the 747-8I passenger version and 69 of the 747-8F cargo type with a total of 70 delivered so far.  Lufthansa has ordered 19 747-8's, more than any other airline, all of them being the passenger version.  It has taken delivery of 14 of them so far.

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140515/avn-140515.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140529/avn-140529.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140612/avn-140612.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_747-8

Manufacturer's Bombardier Q400NG visits BQB Lineas Aereas in Uruguay as part of South American Sales Tour

A Bombardier Q400NG visited BQB Lineas Aereas in Uruguay as part of a South American sales tour in late March.  

The aircraft operated a demonstration flight from Montevideo (MVD) to Punta del Este (PDP) for BQB senior executives, pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and other staff with the idea of familiarizing the company with the advantages offered by the latest version of the Q400, including its 1100 nautical mile range and 350-knot cruising speed.    

With BQB operating many longer sectors from Montevideo to Brazil the Q400NG's range and speed might be a good alternative to the airline's ATR-72 fleet, albeit a very good aircraft.         

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2014/avn140424/avn-140424.html