With the arrival of summer 2024/25, the Astor Piazzolla International Airport (MDQ) in Mar del Plata will face a reduction in flight availability compared to previous seasons. According to data collected by Aviacionline via the Cirium platform, approximately 121,000 seats will be offered between January and March 2025, representing a 11.3% drop compared to the same period in 2024, and a more significant decrease compared to 2019 (-33.8%) and 2018 (-34.2%). Considering frequency, there will be 17.8% fewer flights to Mar del Plata compared to 2024 (and -49.5% vs. 2019).
Aerolíneas Argentinas will again be the only airline operating regular flights from Mar del Plata, connecting to Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, and Tucumán (last year, Flybondi also operated during the summer). However, for the first time since 2017, the Atlantic Corridor will not be included, which connected Mar del Plata with Bahía Blanca, Trelew, and Comodoro Rivadavia and was suspended in September 2024.
In the last decade, the airport saw its highest activity in 2018, with 454,162 passengers. However, 2024 is expected to close with a decline in the number of travelers compared to the previous year due to reduced flight availability and the increase in Argentine tourism toward international markets like Brazil, favored by the depreciation of the real and a strengthening of the Argentine peso against the dollar.
Summer flight schedule in Mar del Plata
Aerolíneas Argentinas has scheduled 121,484 seats for Mar del Plata between January and March 2025, which represents a 5.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 and a 23.11% drop compared to 2019. The schedule includes:
- Buenos Aires/Aeroparque (AEP): 30 weekly flights operated with Embraer 190, Boeing 737-700, and 737-800.
- Córdoba (COR): 5 weekly flights with Embraer 190.
- Tucumán (TUC): 5 weekly flights with Embraer 190.
- Mendoza (MDZ): 2 weekly flights with Embraer 190.
- Rosario (ROS): 2 weekly flights with Embraer 190.
Meanwhile, LADE (State Airlines) has not yet announced its summer schedule, although it currently operates one weekly flight from Buenos Aires to San Carlos de Bariloche and Bahía Blanca with Embraer ERJ 145, as well as sporadic operations with Fokker F28 and Boeing 737-700.
International competition for Mar del Plata
While Mar del Plata faces reduced availability, Brazilian beaches are experiencing strong demand from Argentine tourists, with a projection for record-breaking activity. Airlines have responded with charter flights and seasonal routes.
Flybondi, Andes Líneas Aéreas, and SKY Airline have scheduled flights from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Mendoza to Brazil, while Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, JetSMART, and GOL Linhas Aéreas have increased frequencies and launched new regular routes.
