HISTORICAL INTEREST: Three F-28's that flew with the Armada Argentina (Argentine Navy)

As already noted in previous posts, the Fokker F-28 enjoyed a long career in service with several branches of the Argentine government, including the Fuerza Aerea Argentina - as a military transport, VIP+Presidential aircraft and with Lineas Aereas del Estado, the air force airline that connects remote points of the Patagonia wilderness region in the south of the country.     

The Armada Argentina (Argentine Navy) also operated the F-28, being the last Argentine military service to receive the aircraft when it took delivery of three F-28-3000's in 1979.  The F-28-3000 had a 5-foot (1.5m) longer wingspan than the standard -1000 model at 82ft 3in / 25.07m with only 18 of the model being built out of a total of 241 F-28's. 

Fokker delivered all three F-28-3000's to the Armada Argentina between April and August 1979 in sequential order by their construction numbers; 5-T-20 (c/n 11145), 5-T-10 (c/n 11147) and 5-T-21 (c/n 11150), joining the 2nd Naval Mobile Logistical Air Support Squadron based at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE).   

5-T-20 was an F-28-3000C model with a large main deck cargo door on the left side of the fuselage while the other two airframes were "M" models presumably configured for military personnel transport.  5-T-20 was also leased out to a civilian outfit named Charter Fly carrying the registration LV-RRA from January 1992 to September 1994. 

The three aircraft were reportedly all spotted at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) in 2014 with 5-T-10 painted all-white (apparently abandoned), 5-T-20 in the standard light blue Argentine Navy colors in an inactive state and 5-T-21 still operational in a darkish green low-visibility camouflage scheme.  

5-T-21's last flight was on 11Mar16 when it flew from EZE to Comandante Espora Airport in Bahia Blanca, the main base of Argentine Naval Aviation, for display at the National Naval Aviation Museum there.  

Armada Argentina F-28-3000M, 5-T-10 (c/n 11147), in the factory delivery color scheme at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) at an unknown date.  (Phil Perry Collection) 

Armada Argentina F-28-3000C, 5-T-20 (c/n 11145), also in the factory delivery color scheme at an unknown date and location.  (Phil Perry Collection)   

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/06/ara-07415-t-20-fokker-f-28-fellowship.html

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/06/ara-07405-t-10-fokker-f-28-fellowship.html

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/06/ara-07425-t-21-fokker-f-28-fellowship.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2014/05/algunas-imagenes-de-los-fokker-f-28.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2019/08/fin-del-fokker-f-28-fellowship-en.html

ROUTE UPDATES: Aerolineas adds more domestic flights out of EZE and American is flying daily EZE-MIA

Aerolineas Argentinas restarted regular domestic flights (as opposed to "special" flights) on 22Oct20 with about a half dozen roundtrip flights from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to interior points.  

Those flights have since increased to about 12-15 daily roundtrips, including daily early morning departures to Mendoza (MDZ) and Cordoba (COR).   

The rest of the flights are distributed to several destinations around Argentina, with many important cities receiving flights on at least an every-other-day basis, including Bariloche (BRC), Corrientes (CNQ), Jujuy (JUJ), Neuquen (NQN), Puerto Iguazu (IGR), Rio Gallegos (RGL), Salta (SLA), Tucuman (TUC) and Ushuaia (USH).

Aircraft used include both Aerolineas Argentinas 737-800's and Austral E-190's. 

Internationally, American Airlines has been flying a 1x/daily Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Miami (MIA) rotation with Aerolineas Argentinas flying the route several times per week too.  Both of the latter appear to be "regular" flights and not "special" flights.  

Air France, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa (including pure freighters), and Turkish have been flying approx. every-other-day with even Ethiopian and United flying occasionally too.  It is not clear if these are "regular" or "special flights.  

LATAM Brazil, LATAM Chile, LATAM Peru have also been flying every day with some of them reportedly being freight flights operated with passenger aircraft.

Interestingly, through most of the last 6-7 months, Qatar Airways has been flying and EZE - Quito (UIO) - Doha (DOH) freighter flight almost every day with a 777-200F.

Source:

www.aa2000.com.ar

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Three F-28's that flew with the FAA as VIP+Presidential Transports

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina operated three F-28's as VIP+Presidential aircraft until their retirement in recent years.  Two of these also wore the military registration T-50, apparently also flying regular air force missions for the FAA.

History of the individual aircraft: 

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11028)

(c/n 11028) during one of the times that it was operated as T-01 between 1970 and 1975 and again between 1977 and 1992.  Note that it had no titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)

Another photo of (c/n 11028) when it wore the registration T-03, also in the early color scheme but with Republica Argentina titles.  (Phil Perry Collection)

(c/n 11028) operating as T-03, takes off from Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 03Oct10 wearing its last color scheme.  (Phil Perry Photo) 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina / Presidencia de la Nacion F-28 Mk-1000 (c/n 11028) was delivered by Fokker to the FAA on 28Dec70 taking on the Air Force registration T-01.  The aircraft went on to fly as T-02 and T-04 before assuming its final identity of T-03 in 1995, which it wore until its retirement on 20Apr15.  The plane went on to serve as a source of spares for the remaining F-28's in service with the FAA.  "11028" was the first F-28 to fly with an Argentine operator and also the longest-serving F-28 in Argentina with 49 years flying in the country.   

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11048) 

(c/n 11048) after its arrival in Argentina following the 1976 Farnborough International Airshow where it was on display wearing a Fokker company scheme.  The aircraft was already re-registered as LV-LZN for entry into service with Aerolineas Argentinas and was eventually repainted in the carrier's scheme of the time, although in all-red colors instead of the usual two-tone blue.  (Phil Perry Collection)  

(c/n 11048) at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) operating for the Fuerza Aerea Argentina's Presidential Flight Group as T-02 in February 1997.  (Adrian Arzenheimer Photo - Phil Perry Collection)

(c/n 11048), LV-LZN, in full Lineas Aereas Entre Rios colors with additional American Falcon titles at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) in December 2003.  (Phil Perry Collection) 

(c/n 11048) at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) as T-50 on 18Dec19, apparently retired from service with the Fuerza Aerea Argentina.  (Phil Perry Photo)

F-28 Mk. 1000 (c/n 11048) had a varied operational history flying for several entities, including Fairchild Hiller to whom it was delivered in 1972, followed by Aviateca Guatemala, back to Fokker for promotional work and finally going to Aerolineas Argentinas registered as LV-LZN in late 1976.

(c/n 11048) joined the Fuerza Aerea Argentina in 1977 as T-02 and also T-04, reverting back to LV-LZN in the early 2000's when it flew for Lineas Aereas Entre Rios and American Falcon for a couple of years before rejoining the FAA in 2005 with the military registration T-50 where it flew for LADE.             

Interestingly, this aircraft was assigned to Pope John Paul II' for domestic flying within Argentina during his tour of the country in 1987, even carrying the Vatican emblem on the fuselage.  (c/n 11048) also had some mishaps, including an inflight depressurization in 1992, a runway excursion during landing in Salta province in 1993 and some damage at Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) in 1998, for which it was repaired.           

(c/n 11048) was spotted at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 18Dec19 wearing the registration T-50 in the last all-white Fuerza Aerea Argentina colors for this type, apparently out of service.

F-28 Mk. 4000 (c/n 11203)

(c/n 11203) flying as T-02 at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 10Jul10.  (Phil Perry Photo)

(c/n 11203) at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 18Dec19.  Note the Argentine Air Force 707 and 757 T-01 "Tango Zero-Uno" parked behind the F-28.  All three aircraft were retired and in somewhat derelict condition.  (Phil Perry Collection)

F-28 Mk. 4000 (c/n 11203) was delivered to Korean Air in 1984 where it flew for several years before going on to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina's Presidential Flight Group as T-02 in 1999.  It flew the rest of its career for the FAA, for a short time as T-50 and then back to T-02, before being withdrawn from use on 19May17.   

This aircraft was a model 4000, some 2.5m (7.5 ft.) longer than the 1000 and 3000 models that comprised all of the other F-28's that served with the Argentine military.   

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/04/retiro-de-un-historico-avion.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/01/antes-de-venir-la-foto-que-faltaba.html

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Five Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28's that flew as Military Transports / LADE

Eleven F-28's Served with the Argentine Government & Military

* The Fuerza Aerea Argentina flew five F-28's in the military transport role and with the state airline Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE).

* The FAA also flew three F-28's as VIP+Presidential transports, one of which also operated as a military transport and with LADE. 

* The Armada Argentina (Navy) flew three F-28's.

This posting will cover the first five aircraft noted above with two postings to follow this one covering the other six planes.

Five Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Military Transports / LADE

The FAA took delivery of all five of these F-28's in 1975.  

Their military transport duties included flying supplies between Air Force bases in Argentina plus emergency medical and foreign airmail flights.  Notably, the F-28's supplied Argentine forces in the Islas Malvinas / Falkland Islands throughout the 1982 South Atlantic War.      

With LADE, the aircraft operated flights to remote locations in the southern Patagonia region of Argentina plus, starting in 1977, services connecting Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) with Puerto Argentino / Port Stanley in the Malvinas / Falklands.

The last F-28 flight operated in any capacity by any entity in Argentina was thought to have been flown by Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), in August 2019 shortly before the aircraft's time limit for undergoing heavy maintenance.  However, Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11074), operated a flight between Mendoza (MDZ) and Villa Reynolds (VME) as recently as 05Oct20.  

Individual Aircraft Histories:

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-51 (c/n 11076), in the factory delivery color scheme.  Date and location unknown.  (Phil Perry Collection)   

F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-51 (c/n 11076), was delivered by Fokker, the aircraft's manufacturer, on 13Jan75, the same day as Aerolineas Argentinas' first of three factory new F-28's, LV-LOA (c/n 11085) was handed over to the Argentine national airline.     

TC-51 joined the 1st Aerial Brigade based out of El Palomar Air Force Base and flew for Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE). Unlike the other four F-28's operated by the FAA, TC-51 was never modified with a cargo door, always flying only passengers in the main cabin.  

The aircraft continued in steady service for the FAA until it suffered an accident on 16Aug89.  TC-51 was departing from Bariloche (BRC) to Neuquen (NQN) in marginal weather when it partially departed the left side of the snow-covered runway.  The pilot was able to regain control of the aircraft but it was not able to take off properly, "struck an ILS aerial, crossed a ditch and ended up against a dyke". 

The aircraft was apparently flying for LADE as it had 65 occupants onboard, some of whom were reportedly seriously injured but all survived.  TC-51 was "damaged beyond repair" and finished its career with a total of 14,002 hours and 18,255 cycles on its airframe.        

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11074), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), apparently in November 1998. (Phil Perry Collection)

F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52 (c/n 11076), was delivered new from the Fokker factory to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina on 30Jan75, promptly joining the force's 1st Aerial Brigade, also flying for Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE).  

The aircraft also gained the Argentine civil registration LV-RCS in 1991, flying for Dinar Lineas Aereas, an Argentine regional carrier of the time, for two years after which it was re-registered back to TC-52 in 1993.     

Like three other F-28's operated by the FAA, TC-52 was later modified with a cargo door.

As of 31Aug18, TC-52 had accumulated 23,666 flight hours over 27,292 cycles and, as of this writing, is the sole F-28 still flying in Argentina and perhaps the entire world.

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 15Aug14 in the most recent Argentine Air Force color scheme, also sporting a "100 Years" emblem on the tail commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the FAA.  (Phil Perry Photo)    

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53 (c/n 11020), at Buenos Aires El Palomar (EPA) on 17Dec19 with its tail painted in red colors and sporting its unit insignia in commemoration of the retirement of the F-28 type from FAA service in August 2019 (except that TC-52 continues to fly for the FAA until this day).  (Phil Perry Photo)

F-28 Mk-1000, (c/n 11020), first flew in 1970 with Fokker delivering it to its US marketing partner Fairchild Hiller Corp. as N283FH in June 1970.  Fairchild Hiller manufactured the Fokker F-27 as the Fairchild F-27 and a stretched version as the FH-227, with the production run of both types totaling 206 airframes.  

The company apparently operated N283FH as an executive transport until 1975 when a cargo door was added converting the aircraft to an F-28 Mk-1000C and the plane was delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as TC-53 on 07May75.  The aircraft promptly joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and Lineas Aereas del Estado where it flew until wing cracks were discovered on 16Aug19 leading to its retirement only two weeks before its airworthiness certificate was set to expire on 31Aug19.

 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-54 (c/n 11018), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP), reportedly in March 1996.  (Phil Perry Collection)

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-54 (c/n 11018), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on 24Oct10 in the last scheme that it wore.  (Phil Perry Photo)

This aircraft was delivered to Fairchild Hiller Corp. in March 1970, operating for the company until April 1975 when it was converted to a cargo version with the addition of a cargo door and subsequently delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as TC-54 in July 1975.   

TC-54 joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) until August 1992 when it acquired the dual civil registration of LV-VCS, apparently flying for Dinar Lineas Aereas.

By 1994, the aircraft was back flying full time for the FAA / LADE, finally being retired in 2016 with 21,415 hours and 24,515 cycles on its airframe through October of that year. 

Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-55 (c/n 11024), at Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) on an undetermined date.  (Phil Perry Collection)

This aircraft's history closely parallels that of TC-54 / (c/n 11018), having been delivered to Fairchild Hiller in 1970, converted to a cargo version in 1975 and  continuing on to the FAA / LADE later that year where it joined the 1st Aerial Brigade and LADE. 

The aircraft soldiered on with the FAA / LADE for four decades being retired in 2016 with 20,036 hours and 23,497 cycles accumulated on its airframe at that time.  

Sources:

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/search?q=tc-51

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/2010/06/tc-51-fokker-f-28-fellowship-mk-1000c-w.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2015/01/antes-de-venir.html

https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19890816-1

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2020/10/roll-out-n-377-fleet-list.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/09/adios-un-fellowship.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/07/ultimo-fokker-f-28-en-servicio-civil.html

ROUTE UPDATES: Regularly-scheduled domestic flights resumed in Argentina on 22Oct20 after a seven month suspension

Aerolineas Argentinas takes off again ! ! ! 

Argentina went into quarantine related to COVID-19 on 20Mar20 resulting in the suspension of all regularly scheduled domestic and international flights.  While there have been many "special" flights operated worldwide by both Argentine and foreign airlines, mostly to repatriate Argentines stranded overseas and foreigners marooned in Argentina, these flights have typically not been available to the general public.  They have usually been approved by the various governments only a few at a time, typically with just a couple of weeks' notice. 

However, a first step back to regularly-scheduled service took place on Thursday, 22Oct20 when Aerolineas Argentinas operated four domestic flights from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) to Jujuy (JUJ), Mendoza (MDZ), Tucuman (TUC) and Ushuaia (USH).  This was followed on Friday, 23Oct20 with service from EZE to Cordoba (COR), Neuquen (NQN), Posadas (PSS), Resistencia (RES) and Salta (SLA).  

The flights require passengers to apply for government authorization online but the permissions appear to be more like registrations rather than a process that requires an approval. 

The flights are being operated out of Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) and not Buenos Aires Aeroparque (AEP) because the latter airport's runway is being widened by 20 meters (65 ft.) and extended by 615 meters (2,000 ft.) with the facility expected to reopen in February 2021.      

More destinations are expected to be added from EZE in the coming weeks.

Sources:

www.aa2000.com.ar

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2020/10/aerolineas-argentinas-arranca-hoy-con-los-vuelos-de-cabotaje/

FLEET UPDATE: Fuerza Aerea Argentina continues to operate one F-28, TC-52 (c/n 11074)

The Argentine Government has operated a fleet of Fokker F-28's as government / military transports since 1970 when the first aircraft, F-28 Mk-1000, T-01, (c/n 11028), was delivered to the Fuerza Aerea Argentina as a VIP presidential aircraft. 

The last F-28 flight operated in any capacity by any entity in Argentina was thought to have been flown by Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-53, (c/n 11020) in August 2019 shortly before the aircraft's time limit for undergoing heavy maintenance.  However, Fuerza Aerea Argentina F-28 Mk-1000C, TC-52, (c/n 11074) operated a flight between Mendoza (MDZ) and Villa Reynolds (VME) as recently as 05Oct20.  

A total of 17 F-28's have operated in Argentina; in airline service with Aerolineas Argentinas, American Falcon, Austral, DINAR, and LAER and with the nation's Air Force, Navy, Lineas Aereas del Estado (LADE) and as a VIP / Presidential transport.

The blog editor will soon make three postings with a short history of each F-28 flown by the Argentine government in its various roles. 

Sources:

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com/2020/10/roll-out-n-376-fleet-list.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2019/08/fin-del-fokker-f-28-fellowship-en.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2019/05/el-ultimo-de-todos.html

http://linea-ala.blogspot.com/2018/09/adios-un-fellowship.html

https://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com/search/label/Fokker%20F-28%20Fellowship

HISTORICAL INTEREST: Fuerza Aerea Argentina / LADE retired F-27 fleet in September 2016 after nearly 40 years in service

Lineas Aereas del Estado - LADE, an arm of the Fuerza Aerea Argentina, retired its last F-27 from service in 2016 after over 40 years flying the type.  F-27-400M, TC-79 (c/n 10575), marked the end of an era in mid-September with a week-long tour of 19 cities where the aircraft flew during its career.  

The aircraft was painted in a special scheme for the occasion as noted in these links to the Rollout Spotting blog and short YouTube video:  

https://aerospotter.blogspot.com.ar/2016/09/inicio-de-la-despedida-del-friendship.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPml62bzVx0

Celebrations greeted TC-79 everywhere it flew starting at Parana (PRA) and continuing to El Palomar (EPA), Mar del Plata (MDQ), Bahia Blanca (BHI), Trelew (REL), Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD), Puerto Madryn (PMY), San Antonio Oeste (OES), Gobernador Gregores (GGS), Puerto Deseado (PUD), San Julian, Santa Cruz, Rio Gallegos (RGL), Rio Grande (RGA), Ushuaia (USH), El Calafate (FTE), Esquel (EQS), Bariloche (BRC), and Neuquen (NQN).  Most of these airports are located in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina famed for its lakes, glaciers, mountains and wilderness.

LADE's F-27 fleet additionally operated flights from Comodoro Rivadavia (CRD) to the Islas Malvinas / Falklands Islands during the 1970's bringing medications and other supplies to the archipelago.  It also flew 309 missions to the islands in support of Argentine forces during the South Atlantic War of 1982 transporting men and materiel without suffering any losses.   

The Fuerza Aerea Argentina operated a total of sixteen F-27's with all or nearly all of them having flown passenger service on behalf of LADE.  

The aircraft had a poor safety record flying for the FAA / LADE, probably reflective of the rugged Patagonia region where it flew with frequent bad weather, especially in winter, and airfields that were often minimally equipped with navigational and other aids.  

Nine of the sixteen F-27's were involved in incidents ranging from serious, such as a gear collapse upon landing, to devastating accidents with the loss of all passengers and crew, which happened twice.         

Specifically, the following aircraft were involved in the listed incidents / accidents:  

F-27-600, T-42 (c/n 10346) - Gear up landing in Rio Gallegos (RGL) on 18Apr72 with no victims.  

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-71 (c/n 10403) - Nose gear collapsed upon landing in Lago Argentino on 06Feb75 with no victims.

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-73 (c/n 10407) - Left main landing gear collapse followed by runway excursion and collision with the airport terminal building in Jeremie Airport, Haiti while flying a United Nations peace mission on 16Jun95. No victims.      

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-77 (c/n 10416) - Landing accident at the Marambio Base in Antarctica on 02Dec69 resulting in the W/O of the aircraft but with no victims.    

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-74 (c/n 10408) - Collided with a generator while starting to taxi at the Military Aviation School in Cordoba on 07Feb73 resulting in one death.  Cargo door opened while in flight over Cordoba on 04Oct74 with one death.     

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-75 (c/n 10411) - Collision with terrain in the Quebrada del Rio Congas 200km northeast of Lima, Peru while performing a humanitarian aid flight. Loss of 4 crew members with 4 passengers seriously injured.     

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-76 (c/n 10412) - Collision with terrain after an abrupt turn during take off followed by fire at Mendoza (MDZ) on 17May11 with the loss of 4 victims. 

F-27-400M Troopship, TC-72 (c/n 10404) - Collision with Mt. Pilcaniyeu while on final approach to Bariloche (BRC) on 16Mar75 with the loss of 52 victims. 

F-27-500, TC-72 (c/n 10619) - Collision with terrain in stormy conditions including rain, turbulence and strong winds near Mt. Champaqui in Cordoba on 08Nov95 with the loss of 53 victims. 

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2016/avn160922/avn-160922.html
http://www.lacapitalmdp.com/mar-del-plata-vio-pasar-al-historico-fokker-f-27-en-su-viaje-de-despedida/ via Carlos Abella
http://www.eldiariodelfindelmundo.com/noticias/2016/09/22/68565-ushuaia-rindio-homenaje-al-ultimo-avion-fokker-f-27-que-conecto-la-region-durante-mas-de-40-anos via Carlos Abella
http://loudandclearisnotenought.blogspot.com.ar/search/label/Fokker%20F-27%2FFairchild%20F-27    

ROUTE UPDATE: KLM replaced 777-300 with 787-9 on Amsterdam (AMS) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Santiago (SCL) route in approx. mid 2019

KLM replaced its 408-seat 777-300's on the Amsterdam (AMS) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) - Santiago (SCL) route with 294-seat 787-9's in approx. mid-2019.  The equipment change apparently continues to this day as the Dutch carrier has operated the type on its authorized "special flights" on this route several times recently (regularly-scheduled flights have not returned to Argentina yet).

The change effectively reduced the number of Economy Class seats operated by KLM to Argentina and Chile while maintaining the quantity of Economy Comfort and World Business seats as the 777-300's have 334, 40 and 34 seats in each class, respectively, while the 787-9's have 216, 48 and 30 such seating.

The economy class seat reduction might be to balance out the increase in number of flights by KLM on the route in recent years from 4x/weekly to 6x/weekly.  The consistent number of premium cabin seating probably reflects the importance of business travel on this route.  

Sources:

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2018/12/klm-pasara-a-volar-con-boeing-787-9-en-la-ruta-a-buenos-aires/

www.seatguru.com

   

ROUTE UPDATE: Iberia added the A350-900 between Madrid (MAD) and Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) on 25Feb19

Iberia Airlines started operating the A350-900 on the Madrid (MAD) - Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) route on 25Feb19, the first Latin American airport to see service with this type by IB and the second overall after New York Kennedy (JFK).  The type was scheduled to operate one of Iberia's two daily flights between the Spanish and Argentine capitals. 

The equipment change apparently continues to this day as the Spanish  carrier has operated the type on its authorized "special flights" on this route several times in the past week (regularly-scheduled flights have not returned to Argentina yet).

Iberia was scheduled to receive a total of 16 A350-900's by 2021, although the delivery schedule might have been pushed back due to COVID-19. 

Source:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn190228/avn-190228.html

FLEET UPDATE: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700, LV-GOO, painted in retro "double AA" 1975 color scheme

In celebration of the carrier's 70th anniversary and following the worldwide trend of recent decades of airlines painting select aircraft in their fleets in historic color schemes, Aerolineas Argentinas recently painted 737-700, LV-GOO (c/n 35962/2932), in the carrier's 1975 "double AA" two-tone blue color scheme.  This is the same scheme that the airline's F-28, 727-200, 747-200 and MD-80 fleets first appeared in.   

  

LV-GOO was painted in the Fabrica Argentina de Aviones (FADEA) hangar at the facility's airfield southwest of Cordoba city.  

Multiple photos of the aircraft upon application of the retro color scheme:

Photos: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 LV-GOO in 1975 double AA retro colors

YouTube video of the completed paint job:

Video: Aerolineas Argentinas 737-700 LV-GOO in 1975 double AA retro colors

Source:

https://www.aviacionline.com/2020/09/video-fotogaleria-el-boeing-737-livery-retro-de-aerolineas-argentinas-presentado-oficialmente/

ROUTE UPDATE: LATAM Brazil added Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Cordoba (COR) - Mount Pleasant (MPN) (Malvinas / Falklands) on 20Nov19

LATAM Brazil inaugurated Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) - Cordoba (COR) - Mt. Pleasant (MPN) service on 20Nov19 linking Brazil's largest city and Argentina's second-largest community with the Malvinas / Falklands Islands, subject of the territorial dispute between Argentina and the UK that led to the South Atlantic War of 1982.

The service was scheduled to operate GRU - MPN nonstop 3x/monthly and GRU - COR - MPN 1x/monthly with all flights operated by 767-300's but was presumably suspended in March 2020 when all scheduled flights to/from and within Argentina were suspended due to COVID-19.  

UPDATED 15Mar21:

Per aviacionline.com, three of the Mt. Pleasant (MPN) flights stopped in Cordoba (COR) southbound but only one northbound (due to some flight cancellations) between 20Nov19 and March 2020 when the route was suspended due to COVID-19.

The new route complements the flights operated by LATAM Chile and predecessor LAN Chile since 1999 using A319's and A320's between Punta Arenas (PUQ) Chile and Mt. Pleasant (MPN) nonstop 3x/monthly and 1x/monthly with a stop in Rio Gallegos (RGL) in Argentina.

Both the new and existing flights serve to connect the islands with the South American mainland and the world beyond, giving islanders more access to supplies and important services, such as medical treatment.  767-300's were chosen for the route on the basis of their cargo capacity, which by itself was expected to make the route profitable.   

  

Sources:  

https://www.aviacionline.com/2021/03/latam-brasil-programa-vuelos-a-las-islas-malvinas-a-partir-de-julio/

https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2019/11/21/sin-turistas-argentinos-asi-fue-el-primer-viaje-entre-cordoba-y-las-islas-malvinas/

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2019/10/malvinas-el-primer-vuelo-desde-cordoba-sera-el-20-de-noviembre-y-se-puso-a-la-venta/

ROUTE UPDATE: American discontinued Cordoba (COR) - Miami (MIA) in March 2020 (announced on 05Dec19)

American Airlines announced on 05Dec19 that it would drop its six-month old Cordoba (COR) - Miami (MIA) service, effective 06May20, although the last flights were actually operated in early March 2020, shortly before all domestic and international flights in / out of Argentina were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic on approx. 20Mar20.

The service linking Cordoba, Argentina's second-largest city, with Florida's largest city had been years in the planning but the flights turned out be unprofitable, apparently due to the following factors:  

* Little business traffic which pays higher fares

* Few sales of business class tickets, even at discounted prices

* Fewer inbound tourists from the US than anticipated

* Cordoba passengers choosing to fly from Buenos Aires Ezeiza (EZE) when airfares were lower from there, even when saving only $ 100. 

* American's morning departure from Cordoba (COR) arrived too late in Miami (MIA) to connect with many points beyond.    

* The Argentine peso experienced a significant devaluation in August 2019 with the economy in a deep recession leading to much less international travel by Argentine travelers. 

* Cargo traffic was apparently healthy but was not enough to make up for disappointing passenger results.     

Overall load factors were reported to be between 50-70%, depending on the source, generally not enough to make for a profitable operation, especially with most passengers travelling on lower airfares.  The revenue for some flights was rumored to not be enough to even cover the cost of fuel.  

Some sources have speculated that the route might eventually be resumed when American takes delivery of the Airbus A321XLR's that it has on order, aircraft that are much more efficient than the 767-300's that the airline used on the route and with many fewer seats to fill for a profitable operation.

Sources:

http://www.siscoma.com.ar/online/aviacion/2019/avn191212/avn-191212.html

https://www.sirchandler.com.ar/2019/12/american-airlines-cancela-el-vuelo-a-cordoba-desde-mayo/