Aerolíneas Argentinas Readies Full Recovery of Long-Haul Fleet, currently operating below pre-pandemic levels, parallel to the restoration of its frequencies in Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean.
In March, it was announced that Aerolíneas Argentinas had reserved two registrations for Airbus A330-200 (LV-KHT and LV-KHU). In May, images surfaced of one of these A330s painted in the state airline’s colors.
According to Planespotters, the N628AC, owned by lessor Aircastle and formerly operated for South African Airways (SAA), would be one of them. A second A330 (N632AC), also from Aircastle and ex-SAA, is conducting test flights.
The two aircraft had been stored at Marana-Pinal (MZJ) airport, Arizona, since 2020, when SAA declared bankruptcy.
See Also: Aerolíneas Argentinas Seeks Airbus A330neo and Embraer 195 E2 to Renew Its Fleet
Aerolíneas Argentinas’ Airbus A330 Fleet Recovery to 2019 Levels
With the incorporation of both A330s, expected in June and July, Aerolíneas Argentinas could recover the entirety of its pre-pandemic widebody fleet.
Four A330-200s were retired between 2021 and 2022 after exceeding 22 years in service, replaced by the LV-KAO and LV-KAN, now joined by the LV-KHU and LV-KHT with 12 years of service.
These are supplemented by the LV-GIF, -GHQ, -FVH, and -FVI, delivered fresh from the factory between 2015 and 2016. However, the LV-GKO and LV-GKP will become the oldest in the long-haul fleet, at 19 and 18 years, respectively, and are next to be replaced in the future.
The Argentine government plans to continue adding Airbus A330s, but is also in talks to acquire the Airbus A330-900, the model’s latest version, aiming for a fleet of 12 to 14 widebody aircraft to recover certain destinations.
According to Ciriumplatform, the full recovery of its A330s will enable Aerolíneas Argentinas to resume certain routes and frequencies:
- Cancun (CUN), Mexico; from 3 to 4 weekly flights, compared to 5 to 6 weekly flights pre-pandemic.
- Madrid (MAD), Spain; from 7 to 11 weekly flights, recovering its full frequency.
- Miami (MIA), USA; from 8 to 10 weekly flights, compared to 14 weekly flights (twice daily) pre-pandemic.
- New York (JFK), USA; 3 weekly flights (no change). In 2019, a daily flight was operated, but frequencies were reduced in October that year to operate in Orlando (MCO) and double the daily flights to Madrid.
- Rome (FCO), Italy; from 3 to 5 weekly flights, compared to a daily flight pre-pandemic.
- From July: Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic; 3 weekly flights. Since 2018, this route had not been operated with A330s, which had been replaced by Boeing 737 MAX.
- From July: Havana (HAV), Cuba; one weekly flight, with a stopover in Cancun, replacing the Punta Cana flight.
It was recently reported that Aerolíneas Argentinas flights to Miami will depart from Buenos Aires/Aeroparque (AEP) instead of Ezeiza, starting July 13. This decision will depend on the expansion works of the north platform, which include a position for widebody aircraft.
