NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi receives AOC, starts selling tickets, will start flying 26Jan18

New Argentine Low Cost Carrier (LCC) Flybondi is due to start regularly scheduled commercial service on 26Jan18 with its first route being Cordoba (COR) to Iguazu (IGR).

The most recent developments at the carrier:

Start-Up

*  The ANAC Argentine national aviation authority granted Flybondi its Air Operator Certifiocate (AOC) on 10Jan18.

*  The carrier promptly started selling tickets on its website the next day, 11Jan18, claiming to have sold 10,000 tickets in the first 24 hours.

* Flybondi's two-letter IATA code is FO (the letter"O" not the number "0")

* The airline's first route will be Cordoba (COR) - Iguazu (IGR) 2x/weekly using its sole (so far) 737-800, effective 26Jan18.

Airfares

Sample airfares include:

* Cordoba (COR) - Iguazu (IGR) base minimum fare AR$ 1,928 RT = approx. US$ 100

* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) - Cordoba (COR)  (Buenos Aires - Cordoba is the most heavily traveled city pair in Argentina) base minimum fare AR$ 1,394 RT = approx. US$ 73

The earlier that tickets are bought, the lower the fares, with the above discounts having at least a 10-day advance purchase requirement and being subject to availability (buying 10 days in advance does not guarantee these fares).

First Routes

Flybondi announced the following 16 routes to start by May:  

Buenos Aires: 

* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Neuquen (NQN) - 1x/daily - eff 26FEB18 
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Bariloche (BRC) - 1x/daily - eff 26FEB18  
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Tucuman (TUC) - 1x/daily - eff 28FEB18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Corrientes (CNQ) - 1x/daily - eff 05MAR18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Mendoza (MDZ) - 1x/daily - eff 05MAR18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Jujuy (JUJ) - 5x/weekly - eff 13MAR18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Posadas (PSS) - 1x/daily - eff 30APR18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Bahia Blanca (BHI) - 4x/weekly - eff 03MAY18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Salta (SLA) - 1x/daily - eff 07MAY18
* Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) – Santiago del Estero (SDE) - 4x/weekly - eff 10MAY18 

Cordoba:

* Cordoba (COR) – Iguazu (IGR) - 2x/weekly - eff 26JAN18
* Cordoba (COR) – Bariloche (BRC) - 2x/weekly - eff 27JAN18
* Cordoba (COR) – Mendoza (MDZ) - 5x/weekly - eff 29JAN18
* Cordoba (COR) – Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) - 2x/daily - eff 09FEB18 

Mendoza:

* Mendoza (MDZ) – Bariloche (BRC) - 2x/weekly - eff 30JAN18
* Mendoza (MDZ) – Iguazu (IGR) - 2x/weekly - eff 01FEB18

These routes will be operated by the five 737-800's that it expects to have in its fleet by June (it has one now with four more to be delivered).  Two of the five aircraft will be based in Cordoba (COR) to operate routes originating from that city. 

The airline expects to have 33 routes in operation by the end of the year.

An Argentine federal judge recently ordered the suspension of construction of new facilities to be used by Flybondi at El Palomar (EPA) due to complaints filed by citizens' groups that an environmental impact study should be carried out to determine the effects of the expected sharp increase in noise from ongoing commercial operations.  Nonetheless, construction apparently continues.   

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/01/flybondi-los-aviones-vienen-las-fechas-destino/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/01/actualidad-las-lineas-aereas-la-argentina/
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn180118/avn-180118.html
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/276661/flybondi-outlines-operational-launch-in-1h18/ via Eric Trum

FLEET UPDATE: Flyest's second CRJ-200, LV-HQU, arrived in Argentina last week

New Argentine start-up carrier Flyest's second CRJ-200, LV-HQU (c/n 7200), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) sometime during the last week, presumably from Asuncion (ASU) where it was observed parked in December 2017 wearing the Spanish registration EC-MQZ.

Flyest is apparently a joint venture between Spanish carrier Air Nostrum and some former directors of the defunct Argentine carrier Sol Lineas Aereas, similar to the venture that Air Nostrum has with Amaszonas of Bolivia whereby surplus CRJ-200's from the Spanish airline's fleet are put to use earning revenue on new routes in South America.

Flyest's first CRJ-200, LV-GIJ (c.n 7466), flew briefly with Sol Lineas Aereas in late 2015 / early 2016 and was parked for a time before joining Flyest in March 2017.  It has since flown numerous charters, mainly for professional sports teams.

LV-GIJ wears a scheme consisting of basic blue Austral colors (Sol had a short-lived joint venture with Austral) but LV-HQU has an all-white fuselage and red tail with the same billboard Flyest titles as LV-GIJ but in red, not white, and a white check mark on the tail as seen in the following photo from the Rollout Spotting blog:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/flyest-suma-un-crj.html

Sources:

http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Flyest-active-crj.htm

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/roll-out-n-344-fleet-list.html

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/flyest-suma-un-crj.html

FLEET UPDATE: Norwegian Air Argentina's first 737-800 arrived in Argentina on 15Jan18

Norwegian Air Argentina's first 737-800, LV-HQH (c/n 42278/6347), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 15Jan18 after its delivery flight from Oslo (OSL) via Goose Bay (YYR) Canada and Fort de France (FDF) Martinique  The aircraft flew to Argentina with a sticker sporting the registration EI-FVO covering the Argentine registration until it arrived on Argentine soil when the sticker was removed revealing its new identity.

As with other aircraft of the Norwegian Air family, LV-HQH's tail carries the image of a notable individual of the nation where the aircraft is based, in this case that of the Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, most famous for his innovative tango compositions. 

LV-HQH is a fairly new aircraft having been delivered to Norwegian Air International on 06Apr17 bearing its former registration EI-FVO. 

Photos and video of the aircraft from the blog Sir Chandler:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/01/llego-primer-737-norwegian-argentina/

Norwegian still needs to go through the months-long process of obtaining its Air Operator's Certificate, which will entail demonstrating its fitness to run a safe and viable airline operation through the publication of manuals, staff training, introducing safe operational procedures, operating route-proving flights, etc.  LV-HQH will be used in many facets of this process.   

The airline is expected to start commercial operations in the second half of 2018 with flights from all three Buenos Aires airports; Aeroparque (AEP), Ezeiza (EZE), and El Palomar (EPA) with 10-12 737-800's expected in the fleet by the end of the year.      

Norwegian expects its Argentine affiliate to eventually fly 787's internationally. 

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2018/01/norwegian-argentina.html
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/01/llego-primer-737-norwegian-argentina/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/01/actualidad-las-lineas-aereas-la-argentina/

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 

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas second 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE, arrived in Argentina at 4:57pm today

UPDATED 10Feb18:  Aerolineas Argentinas' 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717), takes off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 08Feb18. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas' second 737 MAX 8, LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) at 4:57pm local time on 31Dec17 on its delivery flight from Seattle's Boeing Field (BFI) via Punta Cana (PUJ), according to flightradar24.com   

This aircraft is the second of 11 737 MAX 8's that Aerolineas has on order with at least the following three scheduled for delivery during 2018:

LV-HKU (c/n 44293/6753) 

LV-HKV (c/n 44294/6807)

LV-HKW (c/n 44296/XXXX) 

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas Argentinas introduced the 737 MAX 8 into service on 01Dec17; future route plans

Aerolineas Argentinas 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), taxis in at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Dec17. (Phil Perry Photo)

Aerolineas Argentinas' first 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), entered regular airline service on 01Dec17 when it operated a Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mendoza (MDZ) round-trip service, eight days after arriving at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on its delivery flight on 23Nov17.  Aerolineas became the first Latin American airline to put the 737 MAX 8 into service. 

LV-GVD was officially presented to the press at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 04Dec17 and reportedly operated numerous route-proving flights to several  Argentine domestic airports in late November, including Bariloche (BRC), Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE), Cordoba (COR), Iguazu (IGR), Mendoza (MDZ), Neuquen (NQN), Resistencia (RES), Rio Gallegos (RGL) and Salta (SLA).  

Aerolineas converted 11 of 20 737-800's ordered several years ago to 737 MAX 8's which will be delivered in the next 2-3 years.  The next four MAX 8's to be delivered, all expected in 2018 are:

LV-GVE (c/n 64208/6717) 

LV-HKU (c/n 44293/6753) 

LV-HKV (c/n 44294/6807)

LV-HKW (c/n 44296/XXXX) 

All of the aircraft are being leased from Aviation Capital Group.

According to Routes Online (via Eric Trum) initial routes for the 737 MAX 8 in December 2017 / January 2018 include:

eff 10Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Cordoba (COR)

eff 11Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mendoza (MDZ)

eff 11Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Tucuman (TUC)

eff 17Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Neuquen (NQN)

eff 18Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Iguazu (IGR)
eff 30Dec17: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Salta (SLA)
eff 03Jan18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Mar del Plata (MDQ)

Additional MAX 8 destinations are planned for mid-2018 including:

eff 02Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Rio Gallegos (RGL)
eff 03Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Posadas (PSS)
eff 03Jun18: Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - San Juan (UAQ)

These dates / destinations are subject to change plus flightradar24.com has shown LV-GVD operating flights to Resistencia (RES) that is not on the above lists.

With its increased range over the the 737-800, the 737 MAX 8 is also expected to be deployed on routes from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and/or Cordoba (COR) non-stop to the Caribbean / Mexico with the most likely candidate destinations being Cancun (CUN) and Punta Cana (PUJ), currently served by Aerolineas A330's, which are apparently too large for demand on these routes.  Aerolineas' existing 737-800 fleet does not have the range to operate these services non-stop.        
Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/11/actualizacion-data-boeing-737max.html
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/aerolineas-to-debut-737-max-in-december-443434/?cmpid=NLC|FGFG|FGABN-2017-1120-GLOB|news&sfid=70120000000taAf https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/se-presento-el-max-en-ezeiza.html
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/276284/aerolineas-argentinas-updates-737-max-8-routes-from-dec-2017/ via Eric Trum

NEW AIRLINE PLANS & FLEET UPDATE: Flybondi received its first 737-800 on 02Dec17

First 737-800

Flybondi's first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), arrived at Cordoba (COR) on 02Dec17 after a week-long journey from Singapore via Hanoi, Osaka, Petropavlovsk, Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Jose, Costa Rica. 

Since then, the aircraft has undergone numerous demonstration flights and promotional visits to several airports around Argentina, including Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 05Dec17 followed by Cordoba (COR), Bariloche (BRC), Neuquen(NQN), Jujuy (JUJ), Salta (SLA), Corrientes (CNQ), Iguazu (IGR) and Posadas (PSS) in recent weeks.

Air Operator Certificate 

Flybondi was expected to receive its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) in mid-December with the sale of tickets to follow soon thereafter on its planned initial routes; Cordoba (COR) to Bariloche (BRC), Iguazu (IGR) and Mendoza (MDZ), all expected to start in January.  

The Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) also plans to commence flights from the alternative Buenos Aires airport of El Palomar (EPA), just west of the city, in late January with flights between EPA and Cordoba (COR) tapping into the most heavily-traveled city pair in Argentina, Buenos Aires - Cordoba.    

El Palomar (EPA) - Low-Cost Carrier Airport

El Palomar (EPA) is an Argentine Air Force base which has only been used for airline flights once before in November 2010 when Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) closed for a few weeks due to runway work causing a few small airlines, such as Andes, BQB Lineas Aereas, PLUNA and Sol Lineas Aereas to move to EPA temporarily.  The facility is currently undergoing extensive work with the addition of ramp space and the construction of a new temporary terminal building.  Several air force hangars are undergoing modifications for use by civilian air carriers. 

Flybondi plans to have 10 737-800's in service by the end of 2018. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/y-un-dia-llego-flybondi.html
https://www.clarin.com/zonales/avanzan-obras-palomar-low-cost-usen-aeropuerto-enero_0_Sy8tAfgZz.amp.html
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/2088764-la-aerolinea-low-cost-flybondi-presento-su-primer-avion-y-empezara-a-volar-en-enero-en-el-pais
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-visito-aep.html
http://aeropuertocordoba.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-se-presento-en-cordoba-y-ya.html
http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171214/avn-171214.html
https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/12/flybondi-de-gira.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8 arrives in Argentina on 23Nov17

Aerolineas Argentinas first 737 MAX 8, LV-GVD (c/n 64207/6661), arrived at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on its delivery flight in the late afternoon of 23Nov17.  This is the first of five 737 MAX 8's to be delivered to the Argentine national airline in the coming months.

The MAX 8's were part of an earlier order by the carrier for 737-800's but they were converted to MAX 8's sometime during the last year or so.  All of the MAX 8's are being leased from Aviation Capital Group of Newport Beach, California, USA

Link to many photos of the aircraft at EZE after its arrival by the excellent blog Sir Chandler: 

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/11/asi-llego-primer-boeing-737-max-aerolineas-argentinas-latinoamerica/

Video of the arrival, also from Sir Chandler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoqhmRcux9o&t=3s

Sources:

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com.ar/2017/11/actualizacion-data-boeing-737max.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca Argentina started regularly scheduled service between Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Rosario service today 21Nov17

Avianca Argentina started regularly scheduled service this morning from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) becoming the first new Argentine airline to operate scheduled service in the country since Andes Lineas Aereas and Sol Lineas Aereas started flying in 2006 and the first new carrier to start up since the Argentine public route hearings that took place on 27Dec16. 

The carrier took delivery of two new ATR-72-600's, LV-GUG (c/n 1343) and LV-GUH (c/n 1395) on 13Jan17 and 11Mar17, respectively, which the airline had only used on charters until now, such as to the ski destination of Malargue (LGS) and numerous charters for sports teams. 

Flight A0 7100 took off today from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) at 08:06am, arriving back from that city at 10:47am.  The second daily rotation, flight A0 7108 took off from Aeroparque at 7:27pm.    

Video of the flight by the excellent blog Sir Chandler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2_UkCTKocA

The carrier is slated to start its second scheduled service, which will be between Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) and Mar del Plata (MDQ), next week on 28Nov17.  

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar
http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Avianca%20Argentina-active-atr.htm
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/11/historico-avianca-argentina-inicia-hoy-sus-vuelos-regulares/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Avianca Argentina planning to receive 5 more ATR-72's by February plus 2 A320's in March

Avianca Argentina ATR-72-600, LV-GUH (c/n 1395), taking off from  Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 08Oct17, apparently on a press flight. (Phil Perry Photo) 

Avianca Argentina's start-up appears to be firmly on course with the airline selling tickets on its website for its first scheduled flights from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) to Rosario (ROS) and Mar del Plata (MDQ) on 21Nov17 and 28Nov17, respectively. 

Fleet Plans

Further plans are for the airline to receive three more factory-new ATR-72-600's in December, all of which have reportedly been painted in Avianca colors with at least one having made its first flight at ATR's manufacturing facility in Toulouse way back in July.  The hold up in delivery of the aircraft has apparently been due to the carrier waiting for the start of service to be authorized before bringing the planes to Argentina. 

Two more ATR-72-600's are scheduled for delivery in January and February for a total of seven ATR's (two were delivered earlier this year).  Two each will be based at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), Cordoba (COR) and Tucuman (TUC) with one more aircraft on reserve, probably in Cordoba (COR). 

The carrier will also take delivery of its first two A320's in March for flights to Brazil. 

Avianca originally ordered 12 ATR-72-600's for its Argentine affiliate but deliveries beyond the first seven ATR's and two A320's will depend largely on which routes develop well and how many of each aircraft are needed for its route system. 

Jetstreams Gone

Avianca Argentina no longer operates any of the Jetstreams that it acquired when it purchased the Air Operator Certificate of MacAir.  The editor of this blog has seen one or two of these Jetstreams at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in recent months but they might have left Argentina by now or perhaps have joined the fleet of another Argentine company.

Aeroparque Hardstands

The north ramp area (adjacent to the north car parking lot) at Aeroparque has typically been used for parking up to a half-dozen aircraft at a time, such as business jets and MacAir Jetstreams, but will now also be used as hardstands for Avianca Argentina's ATR-72-600's.  

Labor Unions

Finally, one of the most important matters for all of the new Argentine carriers to resolve for their operations to be viable is reaching agreement with the labor unions.  Synergy Aerospace and Avianca Argentina President German Efromovich recently stated optimistically that "We are negotiating several labor contracts, we have preliminary agreements, and we are in the final stages of the negotiations."   

Sources:

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/10/avianca-argentina-planes-los-proximos-meses-conferencia-prensa-efromovich/comment-page-1/#comments               

http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/10/los-aviones-tienen-venir-avianca-argentina/

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2017/avn171026/avn-171026.html

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi first 737-800 delayed, sporadic flights to start in December

Flybondi will apparently receive its first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), in late November, a little later than announced a few weeks ago.  The Low-Cost Carrier's second 737-800 will be delivered in December with eight more 800's due to join the fleet in 2018.  Eight aircraft will be based at El Palomar (EPA), just west of Buenos Aires, and two in Cordoba (COR).

Flybondi is planning to start service with a few special flights in December, presumably something along the lines of introducing the airline's routes and aircraft to the communities that it plans to fly to, followed by regularly-scheduled flights in January.  

The carrier's first announced routes seem to have varied considerably in recent weeks but several airports / combinations of airports have been consistently mentioned, such as Cordoba (COR) - El Palomar (EPA) and Bariloche (BRC), Iguazu (IGR) and Mendoza (MDZ).  

Flybondi plans to eventually have its own purpose-built private simple low-cost terminal at El Palomar (EPA) but will start service with improvised facilities until that time.  

The airline presently has 114 employees on its payroll with plans for 190 staff by year's end.              Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2017/10/circulo-la-imagen-del-primer-avion-de.html
http://www.aviacionline.com/2017/10/flybondi-presento-a-su-primer-boeing-737-800-con-el-esquema-de-la-compania/
http://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2017/10/entrevista-ceo-flybondi-julian-cook/

NEW AIRLINE PLANS: Flybondi's first 737-800 painted in company colors

Flybondi's first 737-800, LV-HKS (c/n 33821/1698), has been painted in the new company's full colors as seen in the following photo taken at Singapore-Seleta (XSP) on 30Oct17.  Note the addition of "La Libertad de Volar" (the freedom to fly) titles.  

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=10062 via Eric Trum