The recent data from Argentina’s National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) reveals a strong recovery in the country’s international flight market, contrary to what is happening in the domestic segment. The latest report highlights significant progress in international connectivity, especially from cities in Argentina’s provinces, although traffic levels are still below those recorded before the pandemic.
Key tourist destinations like Mendoza and Bariloche have shown promising recovery trends, outperforming other cities like Córdoba and Rosario, which are more focused on outbound traffic. Currently, fifteen international routes operate regularly or seasonally from Bariloche, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, and Salta. This number will increase during the summer season with the addition of six new routes, two of which will be available year-round.
The main international routes for the first half of 2024 in Argentina’s Provinces
In the first half of 2024, 701,359 passengers traveled on international flights to airports within Argentina (other than Buenos Aires) representing a 10.97% market share. This figure marks a 72% recovery compared to 2019 levels.
Córdoba and Mendoza continue to lead in terms of passenger numbers, with the former handling more outbound traffic, while Mendoza receives more foreign tourists. Rosario is slowly consolidating its position as the third most important hub, with expectations to solidify this status by early 2025.
Salta has also re-emerged, driven by LATAM’s return, and there are plans for Copa Airlines and Paranair to resume their connections. Bariloche closes the group of the top five cities, with seasonal flights, although permanent year-round connections with Chile and Brazil are expected to be established in 2025.
| From | To | Passengers | Load Factor | Airlines | Change (2019) |
| Mendoza | Santiago | 138,068 | 78% | Aerolíneas Argentinas, jetSMART, LATAM, SKY | -17% |
| Córdoba | Panama City | 101,256 | 91% | Copa Airlines | 74% |
| Mendoza | São Paulo | 68,455 | 83% | Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL, LATAM | 87% |
| Rosario | Panama City | 51,634 | 91% | Copa Airlines | 3% |
| Córdoba | Lima | 50,002 | 86% | LATAM | -13% |
| Córdoba | Santiago | 47,369 | 80% | LATAM | -58% |
| Córdoba | Madrid | 42,377 | 88% | Air Europa | 123% |
| Mendoza | Panama City | 39,230 | 89% | Copa Airlines | 23% |
| Córdoba | Rio de Janeiro | 32,101 | 82% | Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL | -39% |
| Mendoza | Lima | 29,293 | 73% | LATAM | -24% |
| Rosario | Rio de Janeiro | 21,322 | 74% | GOL | -50% |
| Salta | Lima | 19,317 | 73% | LATAM | -20% |
| Bariloche | Santiago | 14,043 | 74% | SKY | 191% |
| Córdoba | São Paulo | 13,965 | 77% | Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL | -66% |
| Córdoba | Florianópolis | 9,916 | 75% | Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL | 11% |
| Rosario | São Paulo | 9,149 | 73% | GOL | -74% |
| Mendoza | Rio de Janeiro | 3,951 | 80% | Aerolíneas Argentinas | 164% |
| Córdoba | Asunción | 2,944 | 60% | Paranair | -72% |
| Bariloche | Montevideo | 2,617 | 84% | Aerolíneas Argentinas | New |
| Salta | São Paulo | 2,282 | 80% | Aerolíneas Argentinas | New |
| Santiago | Ushuaia | 2,068 | 72% | LATAM (charter) | -47% |
New routes and what’s missing?
The second half of 2024 brings notable developments, including the recovery of six routes and the entry of new airlines on existing routes, expanding the available offerings.
- From Bariloche (BRC)
- From Córdoba (COR);
- New airline: Florianópolis (FLN), Brazil, Aerolíneas Argentinas resumes.
- New route: Punta Cana (PUJ), Dominican Republic, new route by Aerolíneas Argentinas.
- New route: Salvador (SSA), Brazil, Aerolíneas Argentinas resumes.
- From El Calafate (FTE)
- From Rosario;
- New route: Florianópolis (FLN), Brazil, Aerolíneas Argentinas resumes.
- New route: Lima (LIM), Peru; LATAM resumes.
- New route: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; new route by Aerolíneas Argentinas.
- New airline: Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Brazil; Aerolíneas Argentinas resumes.
- From Tucumán;
Despite these additions, significant gaps still exist. São Paulo is one of the key destinations without a connection to other cities in Argentina’s provinces, except for Bariloche, Salta, and Mendoza, which benefit from Brazilian tourist traffic.
Argentina’s provinces heavily relies on LATAM and Copa Airlines for most international routes, with Aerolíneas Argentinas and GOL playing secondary roles. Looking ahead to 2025, it is expected that Paranair and SKY may introduce new routes and destinations.
Compared to 2019, the number of connections remains lower, with several routes previously canceled due to Argentina’s economic context at that time. There is still uncertainty about whether this situation will change in the short term, as high airport fees and taxes on international flights remain a significant concern. According to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), these fees can represent up to 110% of the base fare.
At the end of 2023, an initial agreement was reached to reduce airport fees in Salta and Puerto Iguazú, aligning them with neighboring countries to attract new airlines. The Argentine government has also indicated that the PAIS Tax (which applies to purchases in dollars) could be reduced or eventually eliminated, which would have a tangible impact on air ticket prices.
