The Argentine Civil Aviation Administration recently announced that all general aviation traffic and commercial flights operated by aircraft with fewer than 31 seats will be banned from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), effective 30Nov12. The only exception to this will be official government flights, such as the president's aircraft, and declared emergencies. Air taxi companies and FBO's (fixed base operators) that are based at Aeroparque will be allowed to operate out of AEP until 31Jul13.
This means that small airlines such as Aerochaco and LAER that use 19-seat Jetstream 32's will have to move their operations north to San Fernando (FDO) if they continue service at all. Sol operates Saab 340A's and 340B's that have between 34-37 seats so they meet the 31-seat cutoff and will presumably be allowed to continue operating from AEP.
The reason behind the measure is the "saturation" of the airport from an air traffic standpoint since regional international flights were introduced at AEP in early 2010 plus the growth of domestic flights at the airfield in recent years.
Editor's Comments:
I have been to Aeroparque many times in recent years to spot and take photos and far from perceiving the airport to be a very busy place it has struck me as having relatively little traffic for one of two main airports of a major cosmopolitan city.
Compared to some other major one-runway airports, Aeroparque does not seem especially busy. 8.25 million passengers travelled through AEP in 2011 and the airport has 295 daily movements by commercial airlines. By comparison, San Diego (SAN) had 16.8 million passengers in 2010 and has 342 daily commercial flights and London-Gatwick (LGW) had 33.6 million travellers in 2011 and has 550 daily flights, nearly double Aeroparque's. I suspect the difference is explained by greater investment in equipment and infrastructure. Rather than turn away aircraft, it would be better to invest more in AEP, which is an important contributor to the Argentine economy.
Sources: http://www.aviacionnews.com/blog/2012/11/tendria-fecha-de-
salida-la-aviacion-general-de-aeroparque/
Wikipedia re Sol Saab 340's, SAN, and LGW
www.flightstats.com
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
ROUTE UPDATE: TACA to Start Flying A330's on its Lima (LIM) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) Route on 15Dec12
Airlineroute.net reports that TACA will start flying the Airbus A330-200 once-daily on its already existing Lima (LIM) to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) route. The airline currently flies A321's between the two cities twice-daily using this aircraft type for both services.
This will be the first wide-body passenger service by TACA in at least twelve years. The carrier flew six 767-200's and three 767-300's in passenger service from about 1985 to 2000 and several A300F freighters at least during 1999-2001.
The AviancaTACA group has at least nine A330-200's in service. They are powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700's and have seating for 252 passengers; 30 in business class and 222 in economy.
The flight schedule for the A330-200 service will be:
Flight Routing Dep Arr Frequency
TA965 Lima - Buenos Aires Ezeiza 2158 0433+1 Daily
TA966 Buenos Aires Ezeiza - Lima 0629 0914 Daily
Sources: www.airlineroute.net via Eric Trum
www.airbus.com
www.airliners.net
www.planespotters.net
This will be the first wide-body passenger service by TACA in at least twelve years. The carrier flew six 767-200's and three 767-300's in passenger service from about 1985 to 2000 and several A300F freighters at least during 1999-2001.
The AviancaTACA group has at least nine A330-200's in service. They are powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 700's and have seating for 252 passengers; 30 in business class and 222 in economy.
The flight schedule for the A330-200 service will be:
Flight Routing Dep Arr Frequency
TA965 Lima - Buenos Aires Ezeiza 2158 0433+1 Daily
TA966 Buenos Aires Ezeiza - Lima 0629 0914 Daily
Sources: www.airlineroute.net via Eric Trum
www.airbus.com
www.airliners.net
www.planespotters.net
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Aeroparque - Only for Aerolineas Argentinas & Austral ?
Catching up on some news from the last month: Aerolineas Argentinas' management is reportedly considering proposing that Buenos Aires' convenient downtown airport Aeroparque (AEP) be reserved for the exclusive use of itself and sister-carrier Austral. This proposal has been named "Plan Aeroparque".
Other airlines currently flying from Aeroparque include LAN Argentina, LAN (of Chile), Gol, TAM, BQB, Andes, Sol, LADE, plus Aerochaco and Lineas Aereas Entre Rios (both carriers' services operated by MacAir Jetstream 32's). Under the plan, the jet operators; both LAN's, Gol, TAM, Andes, and LADE would all move their services to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) with the turboprop carriers; BQB, Sol, Aerochaco and LAER moving to San Fernando (FDO), a smaller airport to the north.
According to the Argentine business website www.cronista.com, there are currently 295 daily airline operations (both takeoffs + landings) at Aeroparque (AEP) broken down by the following carriers:
Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral: 190
LAN Argentina 55
Sol Lineas Aereas 18
LAN (Chile) 6
Gol 6
TAM 6
Andes 4
BQB 4
Aerochaco 4
LADE 2
These vary by day of week and the editor of this blog believes that LAER also has about 6-12 flights per week.
The main motivation of the plan is to give AR/AU a competitive advantage by being the only carrier flying out of AEP, which is located in the city of Buenos Aires itself and is much more convenient than EZE or FDO, both located about 20 miles (32 km) of the city center. This would allow AR/AU to raise airfares which would help turn around the US$ 2 million daily deficit that the airline is currently accumulating.
Aerolineas' management justifies the proposed move as a way of compensating for the flights that it operates to unprofitable destinations, while the private carriers only serve cities where they know they can make money.
The plan has not been put on paper or made public yet but it would likely be poorly received by the Brazilian carriers especially, with the likely consequence that AR/AU would not be allowed to fly from AEP to Brazil and would have to move their operations to EZE along with Gol and TAM, thereby cancelling out any competitive advantage that AR/AU sought to gain at least on those routes. Also, if LAN Argentina were forced to move all of their operations to EZE, they would lose most of their passengers and incur heavy losses, with the parent airline likely shutting down its Argentine affiliate. The resulting loss of hundreds of jobs would likely have to be absorbed by AR/AU for political reasons further deepening the carrier's already heavy financial losses.
Source: http://www.cronista.com 17Oct12
Other airlines currently flying from Aeroparque include LAN Argentina, LAN (of Chile), Gol, TAM, BQB, Andes, Sol, LADE, plus Aerochaco and Lineas Aereas Entre Rios (both carriers' services operated by MacAir Jetstream 32's). Under the plan, the jet operators; both LAN's, Gol, TAM, Andes, and LADE would all move their services to Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) with the turboprop carriers; BQB, Sol, Aerochaco and LAER moving to San Fernando (FDO), a smaller airport to the north.
According to the Argentine business website www.cronista.com, there are currently 295 daily airline operations (both takeoffs + landings) at Aeroparque (AEP) broken down by the following carriers:
Aerolineas Argentinas / Austral: 190
LAN Argentina 55
Sol Lineas Aereas 18
LAN (Chile) 6
Gol 6
TAM 6
Andes 4
BQB 4
Aerochaco 4
LADE 2
These vary by day of week and the editor of this blog believes that LAER also has about 6-12 flights per week.
The main motivation of the plan is to give AR/AU a competitive advantage by being the only carrier flying out of AEP, which is located in the city of Buenos Aires itself and is much more convenient than EZE or FDO, both located about 20 miles (32 km) of the city center. This would allow AR/AU to raise airfares which would help turn around the US$ 2 million daily deficit that the airline is currently accumulating.
Aerolineas' management justifies the proposed move as a way of compensating for the flights that it operates to unprofitable destinations, while the private carriers only serve cities where they know they can make money.
The plan has not been put on paper or made public yet but it would likely be poorly received by the Brazilian carriers especially, with the likely consequence that AR/AU would not be allowed to fly from AEP to Brazil and would have to move their operations to EZE along with Gol and TAM, thereby cancelling out any competitive advantage that AR/AU sought to gain at least on those routes. Also, if LAN Argentina were forced to move all of their operations to EZE, they would lose most of their passengers and incur heavy losses, with the parent airline likely shutting down its Argentine affiliate. The resulting loss of hundreds of jobs would likely have to be absorbed by AR/AU for political reasons further deepening the carrier's already heavy financial losses.
Source: http://www.cronista.com 17Oct12
Thursday, November 22, 2012
FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 2017 Fleet Plan
Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-BZA, (c/n 32674/1952), taxis at Aeroparque on 11Oct12 in Skyteam colors.
Details have emerged recently about Aerolineas Argentinas' future fleet plans.
The airline's fleet presently consists of 20 EMB-190's (operated by sister-carrier Austral), 26 737-700/800's, and 11 A340-200/300's. In the short-term Aerolineas is looking to possibly acquire four A340's from Iberia and up to five used A330's for service between Argentina and northern Latin America and the United States. By 2017, it plans to have 22 EMB-190's, 22 737-700's, 22 737-800's plus possibly an altogether new longer-range type as Guillermo Rudaeff, vice-president of business development and alliances at Aerolineas, told Flight Global that the carrier has had preliminary talks with Airbus and Boeing about acquiring A350-900's or 787-9's by the end of the decade.
Editor's Comments:
With Aerolineas continuing to lose approx. US$ 2 million per day with no end in sight, one has to ask where all the new 737's would be operated to ?
Also, with the biggest money losers for AR being by far the long-distance routes, one has to question the wisdom of adding longer-range aircraft, especially when AR does not compete successfully with foreign carriers for high-fare paying business travelers and most of the significant international routes are already well-served by foreign airlines. For example, the Argentina - United States market is very well-served by American, Delta, United, LAN, TAM and COPA (the latter three with connections through their home-country hubs) while Aerolineas loses huge amounts of money flying to Miami (MIA). So why fly there ?
Sources: Aviacion News 22Nov12
www.flightglobal.com 16Nov12
Photo: Phil Perry
Monday, November 19, 2012
ROUTE UPDATE: Turkish Airlines Starting Service to Buenos Aires - Ezeiza (EZE) on 11Dec12
Airlineroute.net reports that Turkish Airlines started selling reservations to Buenos Aires - Ezeiza in GDS (Global Distribution Systems) on Saturday, 17Nov12.
The service will be an extension of the carrier's four-times weekly Istanbul (IST) to Sao Paulo (GRU) flights operated by 777-300ER's. The move is part of the airline's aggressive expansion to be a viable alternative to Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways connecting East and West through the Middle East (or close to it). The airline recently also announced new service to Boston (BOS) and claims in its advertising that it flies to more countries than any other airline in the world.
The flights will operate as follows:
Flight Leg 1 Leg 2 Equipment Frequency
TK015 IST 0920 - GRU 1900 GRU 2015 - EZE 2155 777-300ER 2,3,5,7
TK016 EZE 2355 - GRU 0345+1 GRU 0505+1 - IST 2125+1 777-300ER 2, 3,5,7
Note: +1 = day following original departure day
Source: http://airlineroute.net/2012/11/19/tk-eze-dec12/ via Eric Trum
The service will be an extension of the carrier's four-times weekly Istanbul (IST) to Sao Paulo (GRU) flights operated by 777-300ER's. The move is part of the airline's aggressive expansion to be a viable alternative to Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways connecting East and West through the Middle East (or close to it). The airline recently also announced new service to Boston (BOS) and claims in its advertising that it flies to more countries than any other airline in the world.
The flights will operate as follows:
Flight Leg 1 Leg 2 Equipment Frequency
TK015 IST 0920 - GRU 1900 GRU 2015 - EZE 2155 777-300ER 2,3,5,7
TK016 EZE 2355 - GRU 0345+1 GRU 0505+1 - IST 2125+1 777-300ER 2, 3,5,7
Note: +1 = day following original departure day
Source: http://airlineroute.net/2012/11/19/tk-eze-dec12/ via Eric Trum
Saturday, November 17, 2012
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
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.
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
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
Thursday, November 15, 2012
PLUNA - Government Considering Buying CRJ-900's for Worker's Cooperative
PLUNA CRJ-900, CX-CRG, (c/n 15209) taxis at Buenos Aires - Aeroparque (AEP) on 29Jan11. The aircraft was leased by PLUNA to its short-lived Argentine affiliate, Aero VIP, for about a year in 2009/2010 during which time it was registered as LV-BYW.
BQB Lineas Aereas has withdrawn from the process and Argentine businessman Carlos Molinari has announced that he is stepping to one side for now.
The latest possibility is that the Uruguayan government might form a government-owned company and pay the remaining debt on the aircraft, which it would donate to a workers' cooperative composed of former PLUNA employees.
There would be no further subsidies, such as a reduction in taxes or the price of fuel, as other parties, such as Carlos Molinari had been negotiating at one point.
Source: Aviacion News
www.planespotters.net
www.planespotters.net
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
FLEET UPDATE: BQB to acquire 3rd ATR-72-212A & one A320
El Observador of Uruguay reports that BQB Lineas Aereas will take delivery of a third ATR-72-212A in December to complement the two ATR's in its fleet since 2010, CX-JCL (c/n 805) and CX-JPL (c/n 816).
The third aircraft will reportedly be used to introduce service to Rivera (RVY) in northern Uruguay, plus Curitiba (CWB) and Porto Alegre (POA), both in Brazil. It will also presumably be used to help introduce service on the "Air Bridge" between Montevideo (MVD) and Buenos Aires - Aeroparque (AEP) when BQB starts flying the route twice-daily on 01Dec12.
Additionally, BQB plans to receive an A320, its first jet, in February 2013 for use on charter flights for six months to gain "certification" operating the type. The airline will then decide if it wants to add more aircraft to "consolidate the process of the company's development" according to Juan Patricio Lopez, CEO of the airline.
Editor's Comment: It sounds like BQB does not expect that a Uruguayan flag carrier replacing PLUNA will be formed so it is taking the initiative to be ready to operate some of the former carrier's routes.
Sources: http://www.elobservador.com.uy 13Nov12
http://www.planespotters.net
The third aircraft will reportedly be used to introduce service to Rivera (RVY) in northern Uruguay, plus Curitiba (CWB) and Porto Alegre (POA), both in Brazil. It will also presumably be used to help introduce service on the "Air Bridge" between Montevideo (MVD) and Buenos Aires - Aeroparque (AEP) when BQB starts flying the route twice-daily on 01Dec12.
Additionally, BQB plans to receive an A320, its first jet, in February 2013 for use on charter flights for six months to gain "certification" operating the type. The airline will then decide if it wants to add more aircraft to "consolidate the process of the company's development" according to Juan Patricio Lopez, CEO of the airline.
Editor's Comment: It sounds like BQB does not expect that a Uruguayan flag carrier replacing PLUNA will be formed so it is taking the initiative to be ready to operate some of the former carrier's routes.
Sources: http://www.elobservador.com.uy 13Nov12
http://www.planespotters.net
Monday, November 12, 2012
PHOTO GALLERY: BRAZIL PHOTOGRAPHY: Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont Airport - Part 3 of 3
The last posting of this three-part photographic series taken at Rio de Janeiro's Santos Dumont Airport SDU consists of business jets and props in private, military and government service. All photos were taken as the aircraft were about to land or take off from runway 02R on Monday, 13Aug12.
ERJ-190AR, PR-ADV, (c/n 19000002)
Cessna Citation Mustang, PT-FLC, (c/n 510-0147)
Forca Aerea Brasileira Airbus A319CJ, FAB2101 (c/n 2263)
Cessna Citation Excel, PR-NBR, (c/n 560-5289)
Forca Aerea Brasileira Hawker U-125A, EU93-650, (c/n 258401)
Forca Aerea Brasileira Embraer VC-99C, 2561 (c/n 145608)
Beechcraft King Air C90GTi, PR-STF, (c/n LJ-1907)
Cessna Citation Excel, PT-WYU, (c/n 560+5060)
IAI 1126 Galaxy, PR-FKK, (c/n 009)
Socata TBM-50, PR-COK, (c/n 595)
All Photos: Phil Perry
Aircraft Data: Eric Trum
Saturday, November 10, 2012
25 PLUNA Pilots Have Found Jobs outside Uruguay
Uruguayan newspaper El Pais reports that of the 120 former PLUNA pilots, 25 have found jobs outside of Uruguay with nine going to LAN in Chile and Peru, seven to COPA in Panama, and six pilots venturing as far as Ethiopia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
The Uruguayan Civil Airline Pilots' Association (ACIPLA) estimates that 40 to 50 former PLUNA pilots have sought jobs elsewhere. 30 of the pilots were foreigners and have presumably left Uruguay.
The pilots that found jobs in Panama and Indonesia report that they have at least doubled their former PLUNA salaries. There were approx. 50 Uruguayan pilots and copilots flying in Chile even before the recent arrival of the ex-PLUNA flight crew members.
Sources: El Pais Uruguay, 14Oct12
The Uruguayan Civil Airline Pilots' Association (ACIPLA) estimates that 40 to 50 former PLUNA pilots have sought jobs elsewhere. 30 of the pilots were foreigners and have presumably left Uruguay.
The pilots that found jobs in Panama and Indonesia report that they have at least doubled their former PLUNA salaries. There were approx. 50 Uruguayan pilots and copilots flying in Chile even before the recent arrival of the ex-PLUNA flight crew members.
Sources: El Pais Uruguay, 14Oct12
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Macair Operations for LAER (Lineas Aereas Entre Rios)
Similar to Macair's operations for Aerochaco detailed in the posting of 04Nov12, the aircraft charter company also operates Jetstream 32EP's for LAER (Lineas Aereas Entre Rios) from Buenos Aires to points in Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces, both to the north/northwest of the Argentine capital.
These routes are for local and business travelers plus foreign tourists looking to fish in Corrientes, for example. There is also a route to the resort city of Necochea in southwestern Buenos Aires province.
The routes and frequencies flown include:
Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Parana, Entre Rios (PRA), 6x/weekly
Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Parana, Entre Rios (PRA) - Goya, Corrientes (OYA), 1x/weekly
Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Concordia, Entre Rios (COC), 3x/weekly
Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Concordia, Entre Rios (COC) - Goya, Corrientes (OYA), 2x/weekly
Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) - Necochea (NEC), 2x/weekly
The airline is planning to soon extend flights from Goya (OYA) to Reconquista (RCQ) and Mercedes (MDX) near the Esteros del Ibera marshlands tourist area.
LAER dates back to 1967 and has flown aircraft as diverse as the Argentine small transport FMA IA-50 Guarani II, Jetstream 31, ATR-42-320, and F.28-1000.
For a view of these aircraft types, click the www.airliners.net links below:
Jetstream 31:
ATR- 42-320:
F.28-1000:
Another aircraft charter company, Flying America, previously operated two Metro III's for LAER as illustrated below:
Flying America Fairchild Swearingen SA-227AC Metro III, LV-YIC, (c/n AC-448) rests at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 10Jul10.
Former LAER Jetstream 31, LV-VEI, (c/n 830) sits dismantled at Moron Airport (MOR) west of Buenos Aires on 10Oct12.
http://www.airliners.net
Aviacion News
LV - Lima Victor magazine
Wikipedia
Photos: Phil Perry
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Six Leased PLUNA CRJ-900's to Return to Canada by End of November
Diario La Republica of Uruguay reports that the Uruguayan registrations of the six former PLUNA CRJ-900's that were leased will soon be cancelled and the aircraft flown back to Canada by Canadian pilots during the course of November with all aircraft due to be returned by the end of the month.
The aircraft in question are:
CX-CRH (c/n 15233)
CX-CRI (c/n 15234)
CX-CRK (c/n 15239)
CX-CRL (c/n 15273)
CX-CRM (c/n 15274)
CX-CRN (c/n 15275)
Sources: http://www.diariolarepublica.net/2012/11/buscando-en-la-region/
via http://cabeceranorte.blogspot.com.ar
http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/PLUNA
http://www.rjet.ca/blog/2012/10/09/historical-crj-operators-pluna/
The aircraft in question are:
CX-CRH (c/n 15233)
CX-CRI (c/n 15234)
CX-CRK (c/n 15239)
CX-CRL (c/n 15273)
CX-CRM (c/n 15274)
CX-CRN (c/n 15275)
Sources: http://www.diariolarepublica.net/2012/11/buscando-en-la-region/
via http://cabeceranorte.blogspot.com.ar
http://www.planespotters.net/Airline/PLUNA
http://www.rjet.ca/blog/2012/10/09/historical-crj-operators-pluna/
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