ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 1

Flybondi Route History

The following routes are confirmed to have started on the indicated dates.  All flights are operated with 737-800's.  

* Cordoba (COR) – Iguazu (IGR) - eff 26JAN18 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) – Bariloche (BRC) - eff 27JAN18 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) - Mendoza (MDZ) - eff 29Jan18 - 5x/weekly - CONFIRMED 

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 30JAN18 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Mendoza (MDZ) – Iguazu (IGR) - eff 01FEB18 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) – El Palomar (EPA) - eff 09FEB18 - 2x/daily - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Neuquen (NQN) - eff 26FEB18 - 1x/daily - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Bariloche (BRC) - eff 26FEB18  - 1x/daily -- CONFIRMED   

* El Palomar (EPA) – Tucuman (TUC) - eff 28FEB18 -   1x/daily  - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Mendoza (MDZ) - eff 05MAR18 - 1x/daily - CONFIRMED ?

* El Palomar (EPA) – Corrientes (CNQ) - eff 28Mar18 - 1x/daily - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Jujuy (JUJ) - eff 28Mar18 - 5x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Posadas (PSS) - eff 15May18 - 1x/daily - CONFIRMED                     

ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 2

* El Palomar (EPA) – Bahia Blanca (BHI) - eff 31May18 - 4x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Salta (SLA) - eff 15Jun18 - 1x/daily - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 01Jul18 - 10x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) – Santiago del Estero (SDE) - eff 02Jul18 - 4x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) - Corrientes (CNQ) - eff 01Nov18 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED 

* El Palomar (EPA) - Asuncion (ASU) - eff 17Dec18 - 4x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 20Dec18 - 3x/weekly seasonal - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 20Dec18 - 5x/weekly seasonal - CONFIRMED

ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 3

* Rosario (ROS) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 13Mar19 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Trelew (REL) - eff 28Mar19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) - Neuquen (NQN) - eff 22Apr19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Neuquen (NQN) - eff 22Apr19 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Cordoba (COR) - Salta (SLA) - eff 23Apr19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Rosario (ROS) - Salta (SLA) - eff 23Apr19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* Rosario (ROS) - Tucuman (TUC) - eff 24Apr19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Bahia Blanca (BHI) - eff 01Jun19 - DROPPED

* Cordoba (COR) - Corrientes (CNQ) - eff 30Jun19 - DROPPED

* Mendoza (MDZ) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 01Oct19 - DROPPED due to network knock-on effect of court-imposed morning/night curfew at El Palomar (EPA)

ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 4

* El Palomar (EPA) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) - eff 11Oct19 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Florianopolis (FLN) - eff 19Dec19 - 4x/weekly seasonal - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 20Dec19 - 27Jan20 -  2x/weekly seasonal 

* Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Punta del Este (PDP) - eff 20Dec19 - 27Jan20 - 2x/weekly seasonal

* El Palomar (EPA) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - eff 24Jan20 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

* El Palomar (EPA) - Porto Alegre (POA) - eff 03Mar20 - 3x/weekly - CONFIRMED

ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 5

COVID-19 Quarantine

All regularly-scheduled commercial flights to/from and between airports in Argentina were cancelled between 20Mar20 and 22Oct20 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Most, maybe all, of the services below are the resumption of flights that existed prior to coronavirus. 

Please note that Flybondi's domestic flights from Buenos Aires would normally fly out of El Palomar (EPA) but this airport is currently closed to commercial flights and might not re-open so the carrier is currently operating out of Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).  

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Iguazu (IGR) - eff 12Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED  
                      
* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Bariloche (BRC) - eff 12Dec20 - 5x/weekly - CONFIRMED      

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Tucuman (TUC) - eff 12Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED         

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Posadas (PSS) - eff 13Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED   
                                                        
* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Salta (SLA) - eff 13Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED   

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cordoba (COR) - eff 14Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED  

ROUTE UPDATES: Flybondi - Route History - 2018 - 2020 - Part 6

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Mendoza (MDZ) - eff 14Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED                       

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Trelew (REL) - eff 14Dec20 - 1x/weekly - CONFIRMED  

                      

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Corrientes (CNQ) - eff 16Dec20 - 2x./weekly - CONFIRMED

                       

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Jujuy (JUJ) - eff 16Dec20 - 2x/weekly - CONFIRMED

                       

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Santiago del Estero (SDE) - eff 17Dec20 - 1x/weekly - CONFIRMED

                        

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Neuquen (NQN) - eff 18Dec20 - 1x/weekly - CONFIRMED

                

Post-Quarantine

        

Prior to the pandemic, Flybondi operated a fleet of five 737-800's to 19 destinations covering 28 routes (five of them international) with Buenos Aires service being almost exclusively out of El Palomar (EPA).

Currently, in March 2021, the carrier operates two 737-800's to 12 destinations on 12 routes, all of them being domestic flights out of Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) due to the temporary, and possibly permanent, closure of El Palomar (EPA) to commercial air service.  Most, if not all, of the EZE service is expected to be moved from EZE to Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on a gradual basis once AEP reopens on 15Mar21 (the airport has been closed for most of the last year due to its sole runway being completely rebuilt, lengthened and widened).

Increased domestic service to more destinations, including between "interior" cities, and international service to Asuncion (ASU), Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) and Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) is expected to be added in the coming months with presumably more aircraft joining the fleet to operate the larger number of flights.  

Sources:

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/new-airline-plans-flybondi-started.html
http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/02/fleet-update-flybondi-receives-its.html
https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/02/flybondi-cumple-hoy-su-primer-mes-y-arranca-dos-nuevas-rutas/
https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/02/flybondi-empezo-a-volar-entre-el-palomar-y-bariloche/
https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/02/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-entre-el-palomar-y-neuquen/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/02/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-entre-el-palomar-y-tucuman/

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/route-update-flybondi-added-flights.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/03/flybondi-empezo-a-operar-regularmente-a-corrientes/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/03/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-a-jujuy/

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/route-updates-flybondi-current-route.html

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/flybondi-review-of-first-three-months.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/05/flybondi-empieza-a-volar-hoy-a-posadas-y-vamos-a-bordo-del-vuelo-inaugural/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/06/flybondi-empezo-a-volar-a-bahia-blanca/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/06/flybondi-empezo-a-volar-entre-buenos-aires-el-palomar-y-salta/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/07/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-entre-bs-as-el-palomar-y-puerto-iguazu/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/07/la-era-low-cost-llego-a-santiago-del-estero-flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-desde-el-palomar/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2018/11/reporte-de-vuelo-flybondi-empezo-a-operar-entre-corrientes-y-cordoba/

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2018/avn181227/avn-181227.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/01/flybondi-lanza-siete-nuevas-rutas-y-llega-a-rosario/

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn190328/avn-190328.html

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn190425/avn-190425.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/05/flybondi-deja-de-volar-a-bahia-blanca-y-realiza-otras-modificaciones-en-su-red/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/07/flybondi-carioca-en-octubre-empieza-a-volar-a-rio-de-janeiro/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/07/flybondi-volara-a-florianopolis/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/09/mendoza-puerto-iguazu-la-primera-ruta-suspendida-por-flybondi-tras-la-restriccion-horaria-en-el-palomar/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/10/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-a-rio-de-janeiro/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/11/flybondi-volara-a-punta-del-este-desde-aeroparque-y-el-palomar/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/12/porto-alegre-cuarto-destino-de-flybondi-en-brasil/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2019/12/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-a-florianopolis/

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn191226/avn-191226.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/01/flybondi-empieza-a-volar-a-san-pablo/

https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/03/flybondi-inauguro-sus-vuelos-a-porto-alegre/

http://argentina-airline-news.blogspot.com/2021/01/route-updates-aerolineas-argentinas.html

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/02/flybondi-traslado-a-ezeiza-sus-equipos-de-rampa-y-volvio-a-autoprestarse-el-servicio/

FLEET UPDATE: LATAM Argentina A320's returning to lessors

LATAM Argentina A320, LV-BRY (c/n 1351), the first aircraft of the carrier to be painted in LATAM colors, taxis out for departure at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 06Aug16.  This plane and the rest of LATAM Argentina's A320 fleet will soon be returned to lessors in the wake of the airline's permanent closure.  (Phil Perry Photo)

LATAM Argentina ceased operations on 17Jun20 and was recently officially closed as a company.  

The airline's A320 fleet has been inactive since the Argentine government established a "quarantine" (since lifted) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on 20Mar20 with some of the aircraft remaining on the ground since then with others returning to Santiago, Chile, home of the parent LATAM company.

The Argentine aviation blog Linea ALA recently published details of the whereabouts of LATAM Argentina's former A320 fleet.  The carrier also operated several 767-300's with at least a couple of them converted to freighters.

The disposition of the thirteen A320's in LATAM Argentina's fleet at the time it ceased operations last June:

* LV-GLP (c/n 1355) - This plane has apparently been in long-term storage in Santiago (SCL) since last June.

* LV-BOI (c/n 1491) - This aircraft is presently in long-term storage at Santiago (SCL) with its engines and other inlets covered.  

* LV-HQI (c/n 3319) - This aircraft is presently in long-term storage at Santiago (SCL) with its engines and other inlets covered.  

* LV-FUX (c/n 4543) - This aircraft is presently in long-term storage at Santiago (SCL) with its engines and other inlets covered.  

* LV-BRA (c/n 1304) - This aircraft was one of three LATAM Argentina A320's to be painted in full LATAM colors back in 2016 and, to the best of the blog editor's knowledge, were the only aircraft of the carrier to receive the new livery.  LV-BRA is currently in Santiago (SCL), apparently having recently arrived there from Argentina.   

* LV-BSJ (c/n 1332) - This plane is one of the three A320's to be painted in the airline's new colors.  It is currently in Santiago (SCL) having also apparently recently arrived there from Argentina.   

The following six aircraft were at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) at the time the airport closed to have its runway rebuilt and extended last year.  With Aeroparque due to become operational once again on 15Mar21, they are expected to be flown to Santiago (SCL) where they will join their sister aircraft.   

* LV-BHU (c/n 1512)  

* LV-CQS (c/n 1526)

* LV-BFY (c/n 1858)  

* LV-BFO (c/n 1877) - painted in oneworld colors

* LV-BGI (c/n 1903)  

* LV-GUS (c/n 3556)  

* LV-BRY (c/n 1351) - This was the very first LATAM Argentina A320 to be painted in new colors.  It is currently undergoing heavy maintenance at the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) in Cordoba (at another airfield, not the airport with airline service).     

Source:

https://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2021/03/latam-argentina-situacion-de-los-airbus.html

FLEET UPDATE: First former Austral E-190 painted in Aerolineas Argentinas color scheme

The predecessor carriers of Austral Lineas Aereas were formed in 1957 and enjoyed various moments of alternating private and state ownership over the years until the carrier was finally fully absorbed by Aerolineas Argentinas with its identity disappearing altogether.

The first of  the former 26-strong fleet of Austral E-190's, LV-CMA (c/n 445), was recently painted in Aerolineas Argentinas colors.  Austral belonged to Aerolineas Argentinas during its last 10+ years of existence so its E-190 fleet was painted in a scheme almost identical to that of the parent airline with the only differences being a red stripe on the fuselage and Austral titles.  With the stripe removed and Aerolineas Argentinas titles applied, the aircraft is ready to re-enter service sporting its new identity. 

Photos of LV-CMA were published by the excellent Argentine aviation blog  www.aviacionline.com at the following link:  

Aerolineas Argentinas E-190 painted in company colors

ROUTE UPDATES: February 2021 - Part 1 - Aerolineas Argentinas - Cancelled 50 International Flights

Route Updates - February 2021 - Part 1

The Argentine Government's ANAC national aviation authority issued an order on 26Jan21 requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights from Argentina to Europe, Mexico and the United States by 30% and to Brazil by 50%, effective 01Feb21.

Aerolineas Argentinas 

Cancelled 50 international flights in February, including some frequencies on these routes:

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Cancun (CUN)   

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Lima (LIM) 

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Madrid (MAD)

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Miami (MIA)

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Rio de Janeiro Galeao (GIG) 

* Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) 

  

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: February 2021 - Part 2 - Aeromexico, Air France, Alitalia, British Airways

Route Updates - February 2021 - Part 2

The Argentine Government's ANAC national aviation authority issued an order on 26Jan21 requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights from Argentina to Europe, Mexico and the United States by 30% and to Brazil by 50%, effective 01Feb21.

Aeromexico 

* Mexico City (MEX) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)

Reduced frequency from 7x/weekly to 5x/weekly, effective in February, still using 787-9.

Air France 

* Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Operating 2x/weekly pax/cargo flights using 787-9 plus 1x/weekly flight as cargo-only, both in February.

Alitalia

* Rome Fiumicino (FCO) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Suspended service until 01Jun21.

British Airways 

* London Heathrow (LHR) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Service will remain suspended until at least 16Apr21.

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: February 2021 - Part 3 - Delta, Lufthansa, Turkish, United

Route Updates - February 2021 - Part 3

The Argentine Government's ANAC national aviation authority issued an order on 26Jan21 requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights from Argentina to Europe, Mexico and the United States by 30% and to Brazil by 50%, effective 01Feb21.

Delta Air Lines 

* Atlanta (ATL) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE)

Reduced frequency from 3x/weekly to 2x/weekly for at least February and March. 

Upguaged equipment from 767-400 to A330-300 in February.

Lufthansa German Airlines

* Frankfurt (FRA) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Continues 3x/weekly flights with 747-8 but with 2x/weekly both pax and cargo and 1x/weekly only cargo (still using a pax aircraft)  

Turkish Airlines 

* Istanbul (IST) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 
 

Reduced frequency on the route (with stop in Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU)) from 3x/weekly to 2x/weekly, effective in February.

 

United Airlines 

* Houston Bush (IAH) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) 

Continues 3x/weekly flights with 787-9 but with two IAH-EZE legs for pax and one for cargo only. All three EZE-IAH legs continue to be available for pax.  

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com

ROUTE UPDATES: February 2021 - Part 4 - American Airlines, Level, Swiss, Air Europa

Route Updates - February 2021 - Part 4

The Argentine Government's ANAC national aviation authority issued an order on 26Jan21 requiring airlines to reduce the number of flights from Argentina to Europe, Mexico and the United States by 30% and to Brazil by 50%, effective 01Feb21.

Airline                      Origin                             Destination                      Eff Date     Type          Frequency   

American                 Dallas - Ft. Worth            Buenos Aires                    01Feb21     787-9        3x/weekly

Airlines                    (DFW)                              Ezeiza (EZE)
*Remarks: Reduced frequency from 7x/weekly to 3x/weekly, still using 787-9.

Level                        Barcelona (BCN)             Buenos Aires                    02Feb21     A330-200  2x/weekly

                                                                          Ezeiza (EZE)

* Remarks: Reduced frequency from 3x/weekly to 2x/weekly, still using A330-200.

Swiss                       Zurich (ZRH)                    Buenos Aires                    05Feb21    777-300     1x/weekly

                                                                          Ezeiza (EZE)

*Remarks: Resumed passenger flights using 777-300 1x/weekly.   

Air Europa               Madrid (MAD)                  Buenos Aires                    08Feb21    787-9         2x/weekly

                                                                          Ezeiza (EZE)

* Remarks: Reduced frequency from 3x/weekly to 2x/weekly, still using 787-9.

American                  Miami (MIA)                     Buenos Aires                   12Feb21    777-300     1x/daily

Airlines                                                              Ezeiza (EZE)

* Remarks: Upguaged equipment from 777-200 to 777-300 on their 1x/daily flight on this route.  

Sources:

www.aviacionline.com

www.sirchandler.com

www.aviacionnews.com