FLEET & ROUTE UPDATE: Third 767-300 rejoins LATAM Argentina Fleet to increase Ezeiza - Miami Flights to 11x/weekly

LATAM Argentina added a third 767-300 to its fleet on 17Nov16, LV-CFV (c/n 34629/944).  It joins sister ships LV-CDQ (c/n 35229/949) and LV-CKU (c/n 34628/945), enabling the carrier to add four new frequencies to its Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Miami (MIA) route for a total of 11x/weekly flights between the two cities.  The aircraft entered service on 24Nov16.  

LV-CFV has flown its entire career for the LAN/LATAM group of companies since its initial delivery in 2006 with two previous stints in LAN Argentina service between 2010-11 and 2012-15.  It flew for LAN Airlines and LATAM Chile during all other periods. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2016/12/latam-argentina-presenta-un-767.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/12/latam-argentina.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b767-34629.htm

ROUTE UPDATES: More Summer Seasonal Service - Aerolineas Argentinas and Andes

Aerolineas Argentinas

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Florianopolis (FLN)

   Increased to 14x/weekly in January

* Rosario (ROS) - Florianopolis (FLN)

   Operated 1x/weekly using 737-700's

* Rosario (ROS) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG)

   Operated 1x/weekly using 737-700's

Andes Lineas Aereas

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cabo Frio (CFB)

    Operated 2x/weekly using MD-80's

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Florianopolis (FLN)

   Operated 2x/weekly using MD-80's

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro (BPS)

    Operated 2x/weekly using MD-80's

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Punta Cana (PUJ)

     Operated 2x/weekly using MD-80's

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160908/avn-160908.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160929/avn-160929.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161006/avn-161006.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas returned to lessor one of the two 737-700's that was painted in special World Cup Scheme

Aerolineas Argentinas 737-7Q8, LV-CSI (c/n 30707/975), taxis out for takeoff at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14 wearing a special 2014 World Cup scheme featuring stickers of Argentine football stars Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain plus the legend "Gracias Argentina" after the team's appearance in the final game.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft departed Ezeiza on 09Nov16 on return to the lessor and will soon join the fleet of Southwest Airlines like numerous other ex-Aerolineas 737-700's. LV-CSI was originally delivered to Virgin Blue of Australia on 17Oct01 where it flew for ten years before transferring to Aerolineas on 25Nov11.  

This is one of the two Aerolineas 737-700's that flew in the special 2014 World Cup scheme (the other being LV-CPH c/n 28238/817).  Prior to the games, the legend said "Vamos Argentina" (Let's Go Argentina) which was changed to "Gracias Argentina" (Thank you Argentina) after the tournament's conclusion. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/11/nuevo-ochocientos-ochenta-y-siete.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-b737ng-30707.htm      

ROUTE UPDATES: PUNTA DEL ESTE (PDP) - Summer Seasonal Service - Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral and Azul

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 07Dec16 - 26Feb17

   Increase from normal 7x/weekly to 30x/weekly in January using Aerolineas 
   Argentinas 737-800's and Austral ERJ-190's    

* Cordoba (COR) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 07Dec16 - 26Feb17

   Operated 3x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's    

* Rosario (ROS) - Punta del Este (PDP)

   Operated 2x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 07Dec16

   Operated 1x/daily using a CRJ-200

Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras

* Porto Alegre (POA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 15Dec16 - 05Mar17

   Operated 2x/weekly using ATR-72's

* Sao Paulo Viracopos Campinas (VCP) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 15Dec16 - 05Mar17

   Operated 2x/weekly using ERJ-195's

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161006/avn-161006.html
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/269528/amaszonas-plans-buenos-aires-punta-del-este-route-from-dec-2016/
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268833/azul-adds-seasonal-punta-del-este-service-from-dec-2016/ via Eric Trum

ROUTE UPDATES: MAR DEL PLATA (MDQ) - Summer Seasonal Service - Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral and Andes

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ)

   Increase to 21x/weekly for the summer using Aerolineas Argentinas 737-800's and Austral ERJ-    190's 

* Cordoba (COR) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - eff 07Dec16

   Operated 1x/daily using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Mar del Plata MDQ)

    Operated 3x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Rosario (ROS) - Mar del Plata MDQ)

   Operated 3x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Tucuman (TUC) - Mar del Plata MDQ)

   Operated 5x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - eff 02Jan17

   Operated 5x/weekly using MD-80's.  Summer seasonal service.

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161006/avn-161006.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161110/avn-161110.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170105/avn-170105.html

ROUTE UPDATES: CORDOBA (COR) - Summer Seasonal Service - Aerolineas Argentinas, Austral and LATAM Argentina

Aerolineas Argentinas

* Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis (FLN)

   Operated 1x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Cordoba (COR) - Mar del Plata (MDQ) - eff 07Dec16

   Operated 1x/daily using Austral ERJ-190's 

* Cordoba (COR) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 07Dec16 - 26Feb17

   Operated 3x/weekly using Austral ERJ-190's    

* Cordoba (COR) - Salvador de Bahia (SSA) - eff 03Dec16

   Operated 1x/weekly using Aerolineas Argentinas 737-800's 

LATAM Argentina

* Cordoba (COR) - Florianopolis (FLN) - eff 05Jan17 - 19Mar17

   Operated 1x/weekly (Saturdays) using A320's 

* Cordoba (COR) - Maceio (MCZ) - eff 05Jan17 - 19Mar17

   Operated 1x/weekly (Sundays) using A320's 

* Cordoba (COR) - Porto Seguro (BPS) - eff 05Jan17 - 19Mar17

   Operated 1x/weekly (Thursdays) using A320's 

Sources:

http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2016/08/latam-argentina-se-suma-al-listado-de.html

http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2016/08/se-amplia-la-oferta-chartera-gol.html

http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/mas-charters-aerolineas-argentinas.html

http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/habra-vuelos-cordoba-mar-del-plata.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161006/avn-161006.html

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/270021/aerolineas-argentinas-adds-cordoba-routes-from-dec-2016/ via Eric Trum
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/01/novedades-sobre-brasileras-y-mas.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of two A330's in late 2016

Aerolineas Argentinas continues to take delivery of Airbus A330's replacing the older gas-guzzling A340's in its fleet. 

A330-203 LV-GKO (c/n 587) was delivered on 13Sep16 on lease from Aircastle.  The aircraft was originally delivered to EVA Airways on 22Apr04 where it flew its entire career prior to joining Aerolineas. 

A330-203 LV-GIF (c/n 1748) was delivered factory-new directly from Airbus in Toulouse on 02Nov16.  This is the last delivery of an order for four brand-new A330's made during the previous Aerolineas administration.       

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/viene-el-lv-gko.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-587.htm
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161110/avn-161110.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a330-1748.htm

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas Regional South American Routes

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Porto Seguro (BPS) - eff 09Jul16

   Operated 1x/weekly using 737-800's

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Belo Horizonte (CNF) - eff 12Sep16 - CANCELLED

   Aerolineas dropped this route after flying it 5x/weekly since 2013

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Caracas (CCS) - Bogota (BOG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza          (EZE) - eff 05Nov16

   Operated 1x/weekly using A340-300's

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160714/avn-160714.html
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/269527/aerolineas-argentinas-resumes-caracas-flight-in-nw16/ via Eric Trum

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of three new 737-887's in three succesive months

Aerolineas Argentinas took delivery of three new 737-887's direct from the Boeing factory in October, November and December.  87 is Aerolineas' customer number with Boeing with the recent 737-887 deliveries marking the first time in decades that Aerolineas has received a new aircraft directly from the American aircraft manufacturer.   

LV-GKU (c/n 60493/6111) was delivered on 14Oct16 on lease from Avalon.

LV-GKS (c/n 60491/6169) was delivered on 23Nov16 on lease from Avalon.

LV-GKT (c/n 60492/6205) was delivered on 19Dec16.

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/10/boeing-737-887.html http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/10/un-boeing-737-887-esta-llegando.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/11/proxima-generacion-887.html
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/01/uno-viene-otro-se-va.html
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Aerolineas%20Argentinas-active-b737ng-35.htm

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas New Domestic Routes & Increased Frequencies

In an effort to stimulate Argentine domestic air travel to help meet Argentine President Mauricio Macri's goal of doubling the number of passengers traveling domestically by air in the next four years, Aerolineas Argentinas has introduced new routes and increased frequency on some existing services:

NEW ROUTES      

* La Rioja (IRJ) - Catamarca (CTC) - eff September 2016

Operated 4x/weekly using Austral E190's. 

* El Calafate (FTE) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff September 2016

Operated 1x/daily using 737-800's.

INCREASED FREQUENCIES

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Corrientes (CNQ) - eff 01Sep16

Increased service from 7x/weekly to 13x/weekly using Austral E190's 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Catamarca (CTC) - eff October 2016

Increased service to 6x/weekly using Austral E190's

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - La Rioja (IRJ) - eff October 2016

Increased service to 9x/weekly using Austral E190's

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Parana (PRA) - eff October 2016

Increased service from 5x/weekly to 6x/weekly using Austral E190's

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Fe (SFN) - eff October 2016

Increased service from 6x/weekly to 11/weekly using Austral E190's

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Santa Rosa (RSA) - eff October 2016

Increased service from 5x/weekly to 6x/weekly using Austral E190's

* Cordoba (COR) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff October 2016

Increased service to 5x/weekly using Austral E190's

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160901/avn-160901.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160922/avn-160922.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas retired two A340's from its fleet in recent months

LV-CEK in the all-white scheme that it apparently wore throughout its career with Aerolineas Argentinas. (Phil Perry Collection) 

Aerolineas Argentinas A340-312 - LV-CEK (c/n 094)

Departed Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Miami (MIA) on the evening of 05Sep16 arriving in Florida the following morning.  This aircraft was an early-build A340 having originally been delivered to Air Mauritius on 31Mar95 where it served for 15 years prior to joining Aerolineas on 17May10.  

Aerolineas Argentinas A340-313X - LV-CSE (c/n 126)

Flew its last service with the airline on 14Sep16 and was apparently stored at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) soon thereafter.  This example was delivered to Singapore Airlines on 24Apr96 and also flew for Cathay Pacific before joining Aerolineas on 08Jan12. 

Both of the above A340's will be replaced by one of the many A330's that Aerolineas is due to receive in the coming years.

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/devolucion-de-un-avion.html
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-94.htm
http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/search/label/LV-CSE
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a340-126.htm

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Norwegian Air Argentina created: Possible Plans to fly Domestic & International LCC Service

Norwegian Long Haul CEO Bjorn Kos and other company executives visited Argentina in early October and met with Argentine Minister of Tourism Gustavo Santos, Minister of Transport Guillermo Dietrich and Aeropuertos Argentinos 2000 CEO Eduardo Eurnekian to reportedly discuss proposed long-haul Low Cost Carrier (LCC) service by Norwegian from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Oslo (OSL), London and Paris using 787-8's or 787-9's.  

The airline's interest in operating low-cost domestic Argentine services initially appeared to be minimal due to the many hurdles to overcome in establishing such service but Mr. Kos and his colleagues were persuaded to visit Cordoba (COR) and Chubut during their visit to Argentina to get a better idea of important "interior" points of the country. 

Norwegian attended the December 27 Route Hearing only as an "observer" but indications have been that the carrier would like to start LCC domestic service in Argentina in late 2017 with 6-10 737-800's or MAX 8's and 200-300 employees from bases in Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and Aeroparque (AEP) and Cordoba (COR), like so many other airlines due to its central Argentina location and being the second largest city in the country, plus possibly Mendoza (MDZ) too.  

This was followed by the official registration of Norwegian Air Argentina on 26Jan17 capitalized with US$ 100,000 for 99 years with a board composed of three Argentine directors.   

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161013/avn-161013.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn161222/avn-161222.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn170202/avn-170202.html