This 2024, the Aviacionline team traveled 225,807 kilometers, or 140,310 miles, across 89 segments. However, the most important journey begins now.
WordPress is undoubtedly the weapon of choice for decentralized information. The technological core of those who have something to say. For over a decade, Aviacionline relied on the platform to grow and establish itself as the most-read aviation media outlet in Spanish worldwide.
But in an industry as dynamic as the one we are passionate about reporting, standing still is harmful. We must constantly evaluate new technologies, new ways to reach our audience. Continuous learning that transforms into continuous improvement.
Today, we begin the migration to a new CMS, which will allow us to focus on what we do best: covering aviation. We thank <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/articarg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artic</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/dosunos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dosunos</a> for being as crazy as we are.
The implementation marks the end of a months-long process of evaluation, design, and development, aimed at delivering a cleaner, more professional product, even more focused on the industry. A product that becomes an ally for those who make aviation happen every day.
A product that prioritizes user experience above all else, offering more value than ever. A product that allows us to fight against certain traffic and view-based dictatorships. Because as <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-ostrower-7641557/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jon Ostrower</a>, one of the leading figures in global aviation journalism, says, «a click-based future is no future at all.»
We count on you in this fight. We thank you for the bridges we have built and trust we can expand them, both in number and depth. We need you, and you need us.
During the migration process to the new content platform, which begins at 15:00 GMT this Friday (27th), we will have to pause the publication of new articles on <a href="http://aviacionline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aviacionline.com</a> for a period of 48 hours. However, as our passion for reporting doesn’t stop, we will continue publishing the most relevant updates through our accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Over the past four years, we have established ourselves as the most important aviation media outlet in the Spanish language. May 2025 find us united, creating and telling stories about the most fascinating industry ever created by humanity.
Happy New Year to all.

A new chapter begins at Aviacionline

Azul Linhas Aéreas added two new Embraer jets, which arrived shortly after Christmas and were flown by pilots from the Brazilian manufacturer.
The Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, delivered brand new, bear the registrations PS-ADC and PS-ADD. On Thursday, December 26, they flew from São José dos Campos (SP) to Montevideo, Uruguay, and then to Confins (MG), where they will undergo the nationalization process.
The first aircraft, PS-ADC, has the serial number 19020162 and was named «Meu E2 Azul.» The second, PS-ADD, with the serial number 19020164, was named «Onde os sonhos voam.»
With these two new additions, Azul will close the year having received 10 new jets from Embraer, bringing its total fleet of next-generation E195-E2 aircraft to 30.
Now, many people unfamiliar with certain aspects of the industry might wonder why Azul&#8217;s new Embraer aircraft first fly to Uruguay before being officially received in Brazil (where they are manufactured).
The answer, as explained by our Brazilian partner <a href="https://aeroin.net/em-voo-vindo-do-uruguai-chega-em-confins-o-novo-embraer-195-e2-da-azul-com-a-pintura-da-bandeira/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>, is that Embraer delivers the aircraft to the leasing company owner, which has a legal representative in Uruguay, and this entity then exports the aircraft to Azul. This procedure results in a tax benefit that can amount to millions of reais per aircraft.
The Embraer 195-E2 is the largest and most modern commercial aircraft manufactured in Brazil, with a capacity for 136 passengers in the configuration chosen by Azul. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, such as in-flight Wi-Fi and individual screens at every seat, the model sets a benchmark for efficiency and sustainability.

Why Azul’s New Embraer Aircraft Fly to Uruguay Before Brazil

The Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA) has made key advancements throughout 2024 to strengthen its operational capacity and position itself as a competitive player in the sector.
This year, FAdeA renewed its commercial MRO operation specifications with the Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) of Argentina and Brazil. It also achieved recertification for AS9100, an international standard for aerospace quality management systems, and renewed its NADCAP certification, which ensures compliance with standards in aerospace manufacturing processes.
Additionally, the Dirección General de Aeronáutica Civil de Chile (DGAC) granted FAdeA authorization as a Foreign Maintenance Organization (E-687). This will enable the company to offer maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for aircraft and components registered in Chile, expanding its reach in the regional market.
This new authorization enhances FAdeA’s ability to serve regional airlines by offering more cost-competitive alternatives for fleet maintenance. According to FAdeA, this milestone «reflects the commitment, dedication, and collective effort» of its team.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-40601" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277.jpg" alt="Fábrica Argentina de Aviones (FAdeA)" width="1032" height="581" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277.jpg 1032w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277-768x432.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277-696x392.jpg 696w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2020/02/Fadea_1572046277-746x420.jpg 746w" sizes="(max-width: 1032px) 100vw, 1032px" />
Notably, the DGAC Chile authorization opens new opportunities for maintaining aircraft registered in that country, including those of LATAM, SKY Airline, and JetSMART.
The commercial relationship between FAdeA and Etihad Engineering has also played a significant role, enabling Argentine personnel to receive training in advanced maintenance tasks. Until last year, FAdeA provided services to LATAM, including aircraft interior refurbishments and painting, although this activity was temporarily interrupted at the end of 2023.
In mid-2024, it was announced that JetSMART will be able to request services such as Check-C for its fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, both in CEO and NEO versions, based in Argentina.

FAdeA Expands Regional Reach with New Chilean DGAC Maintenance Authorization

The Final Flight: Only 22 Boeing 727s Remain in the Skies Worldwide

El Al suspends all its flights to Russia indefinitely due to irregularities and “events” in Russian airspace. The company is expected to evaluate the situation over the coming week to decide whether to resume its connection with Moscow or not.
The measure taken by the Israeli flag carrier is linked to the recent accident in Kazakhstan, where an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 crashed near Aktau Airport. The incident resulted in 38 fatalities, including crew members, and 29 survivors with injuries of varying severity.
So far, the leading hypothesis regarding the J2 8243 flight is that it was shot down by a missile with a proximity fuse, which struck the rear control surfaces, causing the aircraft to lose control. This was confirmed early this morning by the Azerbaijani government in a preliminary report, which suspects the projectile might be of Russian origin.
<a href="https://www.elal.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Al </a>operates five weekly flights between Tel Aviv (TLV) and Domodedovo International Airport (DME) in Russia&#8217;s capital. The route is serviced with a Boeing 737-900ER on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. The company will notify its passengers about the status of their flights to allow them to reschedule or cancel their trips.

El Al Halts All Flights to Russia Indefinitely Amid Airspace Safety Concerns

The Uruguayan Air Force (FAU) received an Embraer C-120 Brasilia, which will perform passenger transport and medical evacuation missions. With the arrival of this new aircraft, the FAU strengthens its operational capacity, now having two units of this model in its fleet.
The aircraft was presented at Air Base No. 1, located at Montevideo’s Carrasco International Airport (MDV), during a ceremony attended by Deputy Defense Minister Marcelo Montaner and Air Force Commander-in-Chief, General of the Air Luis de León.
Marcelo Montaner emphasized that «this is a very important addition because this aircraft has specific capabilities, such as medical transport.» The Embraer C-120 Brasilia is a Brazilian-manufactured aircraft designed for flights of up to six hours, boasting a cruising speed of 300 knots.
The Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Luis de León, stated that «for the Air Force, this is a strategically required asset, as we were replacing the Bandeirantes with a new platform. While this platform is already used, it is from 1999 and, in reality, meets the needs we already had with the other Brasilia, the FAU 550, providing us with strategic capacity in the sense that we now have two aircraft to meet our needs.»
«The capabilities of this aircraft for specialized transport and having a pressurized aircraft, when until now we only had the Hercules for those conditions, significantly enhance our ability to assist the public. The aircraft can operate across all of Uruguay and is prepared for that. It is a regional aircraft that can cover the entire region; we can reach Brazil without issues, as well as Santiago or any location in the Americas,» added Commander Luis de León.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-350177" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC04904-e1735255794678.jpg" alt="Embraer C-120 FAU 551" width="1200" height="800" />
The configuration of the new Embraer C-120, registered as FAU 551, can accommodate up to 30 passengers in its passenger transport version or switch to a layout that allows for 23 passengers and one stretcher. The stretcher, located in the rear of the cabin, is equipped to transport all types of patients.
The FAU 551 will complement the Air Force’s capacity alongside its Lockheed C-130 Hercules, with the advantage that the C-120 Brasilia features a pressurized cabin, improving travel conditions for patients. Additionally, the aircraft can operate in regional or small airports, facilitating medical evacuations for those in need, wherever they may be.

Uruguayan Air Force Enhances Fleet with New Embraer C-120 Brasilia for Medical Evacuations

A preliminary investigation by Azerbaijan concluded that a Russian missile shot down a commercial aircraft manufactured by Embraer in Kazakhstan.
The E190-E1 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) was conducting a flight between Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, and Grozny, in Chechnya, southern Russia. Onboard were 67 people, 38 of whom died after the aircraft crashed into the ground in Kazakh territory, on the other side of the Caspian Sea.
Signs on the aircraft indicate external damage, allegedly caused by the proximity explosion of an anti-aircraft missile. The Azerbaijani government has reportedly confirmed that a Russian missile struck the aircraft.
The information was provided by Azerbaijani government sources to <a href="https://pt.euronews.com/2024/12/26/exclusivo-investigacao-preliminar-confirma-que-missil-russo-sobre-grozny-causou-a-queda-do" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Euronews</a>, which exclusively reported that the anti-aircraft system used against the E190 was a Pantsir-S, engaged in countering Ukrainian drone attacks in the same region. This aligns with the decision of <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/azerbaijan-airlines-suspends-flights-after-embraer-190-crash-in-kazakhstan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AZAL to suspend flights to Russia following the crash of the E190</a>.
This system features 12 radar-guided anti-aircraft missiles mounted on a launcher vehicle atop a truck, which also includes two 30 mm cannons for close-range defense.
The missile can carry a fragmentation warhead that detonates near the target, releasing numerous fragments (similar to a hand grenade) to cause damage rendering the target unable to continue flying. It remains unclear how the missile failed to fully down the aircraft. One hypothesis is that there was a preemptive detonation commanded by the launch battery upon detecting that the target was not a drone but a civilian aircraft.
According to reports from our partner outlet, <a href="https://aeroin.net/missil-russo-teria-derrubado-aviao-da-embraer-segundo-governo-do-azerbaijao-afirma-jornal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>, the Pantsir system was almost acquired by Brazil in 2013, shortly after the purchase of Hind helicopters. At that time, the federal government planned to buy three batteries, each with 12 launchers, to equip one unit from each branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces, primarily to protect airspace during the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.
However, due to budget constraints, the Brazilian government canceled the purchase and opted instead for used Gepard anti-aircraft vehicles, based on the German Leopard 1 tank platform, already in use by the Brazilian Army. This system, however, lacks anti-aircraft missiles and relies solely on 35 mm cannons to neutralize targets.

Russian Missile Allegedly Downs Azerbaijan Airlines E190 in Kazakhstan: Preliminary Report

In a key development following the accident involving an <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/azerbaijan-airlines-crash-near-aktau-emergency-landing-attempt-ends-in-disaster-what-we-know/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 near Aktau Airport</a> in Kazakhstan, search and rescue teams confirmed the recovery of at least one of the aircraft&#8217;s black boxes. These devices contain crucial data on pilot conversations and flight parameters.
The disaster, which occurred on December 25, resulted in 38 fatalities, according to Kazakhstan&#8217;s Ministry of Emergency Situations. Another 29 occupants were rushed to hospitals in the city, some in critical condition, where they continue to receive medical attention.
Rescue crews, focused on analyzing the wreckage, managed to locate the flight recorders, essential elements for clarifying the circumstances of the accident. Investigations at the site are ongoing, with efforts to collect and analyze parts of the wrecked aircraft’s structure, according to a report from our partner outlet, <a href="https://aeroin.net/caixas-pretas-sao-encontradas-e-38-mortos-sao-confirmados-no-acidente-do-embraer-e190-no-cazaquistao/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>.
The aircraft, carrying 67 people, including five crew members, made an emergency landing approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau Airport after being diverted from its original destination in Grozny due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The impact split the fuselage into two large sections, separated by about 300 meters, and caused a fire that was brought under control by firefighters roughly 30 minutes after their arrival at the scene.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev responded promptly upon being informed of the accident, returning from a conference in St. Petersburg. Aliyev ordered the opening of a criminal investigation led by Azerbaijan&#8217;s general prosecutor&#8217;s office. According to the president&#8217;s initial statements, the aircraft changed its route due to adverse weather conditions in Grozny and was redirected to Aktau.
Aliyev emphasized that the causes of the accident remain unknown and that, while various theories are circulating, it would be premature to speculate without a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and pledged full cooperation with the relevant authorities in the investigations.

Embraer E190 Crash in Kazakhstan: 38 Fatalities Confirmed, Black Boxes Recovered

Today marked the twentieth anniversary of one of the greatest natural disasters in history. On the morning of December 26, 2004, a devastating magnitude 9.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, followed by a tsunami that impacted dozens of countries in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a tragic toll of 250,000 lives lost.
Beyond the human impact, the catastrophe also deeply affected the aviation sector, especially in the hardest-hit countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Maldives, where airports played a crucial role in rescue and evacuation operations.
Banda Aceh was the most affected city due to its proximity to the epicenter. The airport was partially rendered unusable by the earthquake and flooding. Although it was quickly rehabilitated, operations faced challenges, including incidents such as a cargo Boeing 737 colliding with a water buffalo that had wandered onto the runway.
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The airport on Simeulue Island was severely damaged. After the tsunami, only an improvised helipad was made available for humanitarian aid operations. It was rebuilt in 2007, following its destruction once again during the Nias-Simeulue earthquake in 2005.
Phuket and Krabi Airports, though unaffected by the earthquake and tsunami, were essential as rescue and evacuation hubs for thousands of tourists in one of the regions most impacted by the tsunami.
One of the most striking images of the tragedy was the Male International Airport in Maldives, completely flooded, with its runway and apron submerged. Despite this, structural damage was minimal. Aircraft such as a Boeing 767 from Malev Hungarian Airlines, an A330 from Edelweiss Air, and planes from SriLankan Airlines, Emirates, and Alitalia were stranded at the airport during the catastrophe.
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Coastal destinations in Thailand, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Seychelles experienced a drop in the air travel market over the following two years. Phuket and Maldives managed to recover quickly through reconstruction investments and marketing campaigns to attract tourists.
<h3>ICAO highlights tsunami risks at airports</h3>
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) conducted studies on airport vulnerability to tsunamis, identifying 1,741 airfields within three nautical miles of the coast as potentially exposed. Of these, 32 airports were categorized as highly vulnerable, while 14 airports face significant risks due to their proximity to active tsunami zones.
Among the most exposed airports, data from similar disasters between 1996 and 2016 show that Japan ranks among the countries most affected, due to its geographic location within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Although the risk is lower compared to Asia, four Mexican airports (Bahía Huatulco, Ciudad del Carmen, Minatitlán, and Villahermosa) have experienced tsunami-related damage.

20 Years After the 2004 Tsunami: Aviation’s Role in One of the Deadliest Natural Disasters

Air Europa has been implementing OptiClimb technology, developed by SITA, since last summer to reduce fuel consumption during the climb phase of its flights. According to the airline, this tool, which utilizes artificial intelligence, enables savings of up to 3,000 tons of fuel per year and prevents the emission of 10,100 tons of CO2 annually.
OptiClimb provides personalized recommendations to crews on the optimal speed during the climb phase, based on historical aircraft data, operational flight plans, and weather forecasts, including wind conditions. These recommendations are sent to pilots during flight preparation and are applied to both Air Europa and Air Europa Express&#8217;s Boeing 737 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleets.
According to the company, during September, the 737 fleet saved 100 tons of fuel and reduced CO2 emissions by 312 tons, while the Boeing 787 achieved savings of 144 tons of fuel and 451 tons of emissions. These results were obtained after analyzing data from over 5,000 flights, with a recommendation application rate close to 80%.
The use of OptiClimb is part of Air Europa&#8217;s Flight 2030 project, which includes nearly 50 initiatives aimed at improving sustainability in environmental, economic, social, and governance areas. In addition to this technology, the airline has also begun implementing protocols such as SETI (Single Engine Taxi In) and SETO (Single Engine Taxi Out), which involve performing taxiing maneuvers with a single engine, reducing fuel consumption during these phases.
According to the company, these measures aim to improve operational efficiency and contribute to global efforts to decarbonize the aviation sector.

Air Europa Saves 3,000 Tons of Fuel Annually with AI-Powered OptiClimb Technology

As <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/avianca-to-announce-a-new-flight-to-the-united-states-soon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">we previously reported</a>, <a style="color: #ff0000;" href="https://www.avianca.com/en/">Avianca</a> announced that it will add five new routes from Central America and Colombia to Florida, including Tampa (TPA), a new destination in the group&#8217;s network.
Florida is Avianca&#8217;s main market in the United States, which, with this announcement, it will serve with 16 direct routes from six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The company will connect Fort Lauderdale (FLL) with Medellín/Rionegro (MDE) and Managua (MGA); Miami (MIA) with San José (SJO) and Guatemala City (GUA); and Tampa (TPA) with Bogotá (BOG). Avianca did not reveal the exact start date but indicated that these routes will begin in 2025.
“Florida has historically been a key point for connection with Latin America, which is why it is fundamental for us to contribute to reuniting more families, boosting tourism, and promoting business. So far in 2024, we have transported over four million travelers on more than 27,000 flights to and from the United States. These new routes respond to the needs of our customers and represent an opportunity for them to fly directly to more destinations in both regions where we already have a strong presence,” said Frederico Pedreira, CEO of Avianca.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-350117" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Flightmap-GUA-MIA-SJO-SAL-MGA-FLL-MDE_TPA-BOG.png" alt="" width="1200" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-GUA-MIA-SJO-SAL-MGA-FLL-MDE_TPA-BOG.png 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-GUA-MIA-SJO-SAL-MGA-FLL-MDE_TPA-BOG-300x150.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-GUA-MIA-SJO-SAL-MGA-FLL-MDE_TPA-BOG-768x384.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/Flightmap-GUA-MIA-SJO-SAL-MGA-FLL-MDE_TPA-BOG-150x75.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
<h3>Tampa: Avianca&#8217;s new destination</h3>
Tampa is Avianca&#8217;s fourth destination in Florida, after Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Orlando. The city will connect with 25 domestic destinations and 16 in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
“The significance of Avianca&#8217;s new route between Tampa and Bogotá is enormous, as it represents TPA&#8217;s first connection with Latin America in almost 50 years and fulfills a long-awaited need for direct service to South America,” said Joe Lopano, CEO of TPA.
Tampa adds its third Latin American airline with Avianca, joining Copa Airlines and Aeroméxico. Additionally, jetBlue connects Tampa with Cancún. From the Caribbean, Tampa is linked to Grand Cayman (Cayman Airways), Punta Cana and Santo Domingo (Frontier), Havana (Southwest), Marsh Harbour, and Nassau (Bahamasair).

Avianca Expands Florida Network: Five New Routes Including Tampa in 2025

This December 26, <a href="https://www.copaair.com">Copa Airlines</a> began operating its second daily flight to Rosario (ROS), Argentina, to accommodate the peak of the austral summer season. This additional frequency will operate three times a week, marking the highest capacity the airline has offered in the city since its arrival at the Islas Malvinahttps://www.copaair.com/en-us/s International Airport in 2016.
The new frequencies will run until February 28, 2025, with the following schedule:
<ul>
<li>Panama – Rosario, flight CM 882 PTY 15:25 – 00:17 (+1), ROS / daily.</li>
<li>Panama – Rosario, flight CM 889 PTY 18:55 – 03:48 (+1), ROS / Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.</li>
<li>Rosario – Panama, flight CM 836 ROS 01:42 – 06:32 PTY / daily.</li>
<li>Rosario – Panama, flight CM 898 ROS 05:10 – 10:10 PTY / Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays.</li>
</ul>
According to the ANAC Argentina, Copa Airlines transported 93,997 passengers in Rosario during the first eleven months of 2024, with an average load factor of 92%. The route to Panama is the main international connection from the city, largely used as a hub for connecting flights to other destinations within Copa Airlines&#8217; extensive American network.
<figure id="attachment_247643" class="wp-caption alignnone" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-247643"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-247643" src="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/06/aeropuerto-rosario-terminal-internacional.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/06/aeropuerto-rosario-terminal-internacional.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/06/aeropuerto-rosario-terminal-internacional-300x169.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/06/aeropuerto-rosario-terminal-internacional-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/06/aeropuerto-rosario-terminal-internacional-768x432.jpg 768w" alt="" width="1500" height="844" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-247643" class="wp-caption-text">New international terminal of Rosario airport under construction – June 2024
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<h2>Copa Airlines in Argentina</h2>
In early July, Copa Airlines announced it would increase its daily flights between Panama and Argentina to 10 by the end of 2024, following frequency additions to Córdoba and Buenos Aires.
Thus, Copa Airlines&#8217; presence in Argentina would be structured as follows:
<ul>
<li>Buenos Aires/Ezeiza (EZE); 35 weekly flights with Boeing 737 MAX 9 and Boeing 737-800.</li>
<li>Córdoba (COR); 16 weekly flights with Boeing 737-800.</li>
<li>Rosario (ROS); 7 weekly flights with Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737-800, 10 weekly in December and February.</li>
<li>Mendoza (MDZ); 6 weekly flights with Boeing 737-800.</li>
</ul>
According to Argentina&#8217;s National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), between January and November 2024, Copa Airlines was the fourth most important airline in the international segment, transporting 756,460 passengers with a 92% load factor.
The expansion of Copa Airlines&#8217; presence in Argentina follows the agreements signed in June 2024, eliminating previous bilateral restrictions and establishing an unlimited frequency system, allowing airlines to determine their frequencies according to market conditions and demand.

Copa Airlines Adds Second Daily Flight to Rosario for Summer Peak

<a href="https://royalclass.com.ar/">Royal Class</a> announced the acquisition of a Fairchild Swearingen SA 227 Metroliner 23, registered as LV-ZXA. This aircraft is notable for being the one intended for use by Humming Airways, a regional airline project in the Argentine Pampas region.
The turboprop was manufactured in 1997 but delivered in November 2000 to SAPSA &#8211; Servicios Aéreos Patagónicos S.A. (part of the Grupo Vía Bariloche). The aircraft has previously operated for American Jet, Pacific Ocean, and even connected Salta with Cafayate, Tartagal, and Oran for Andes Líneas Aéreas in 2011.
According to Royal Class, the Metroliner 23 is configured with 19 seats but can be adapted for 12 VIP places or medical flights. With this addition, their fleet grows to nine aircraft, joining the Falcon 7X (LV-JQF), Falcon 900EX (LV-GQK), Bombardier Challenger 601 (LV-BYG), Cessna 560 Citation Excel (LV-CBK), Cessna 525 Citation (LV-JUM and LV-JUN), Piper Seneca II (LV-IQG), and Robinson 44 (LV-JZK).
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The Metroliner will be used this December 27 for the official presentation of <a href="https://www.hummingairways.com/">Humming Airways</a> at the destinations it will serve in 2025. Among them are Olavarría, Tandil, Venado Tuerto, and Villa Maria from Aeroparque.
A <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/tandil-returns-to-commercial-flights-starting-february-from-buenos-aires/">couple of weeks ago, the company surprised by launching ticket pre-sales</a>, offering tiered pricing based on the number of tickets purchased. Those buying more than 150 tickets will pay $150 per segment, while those purchasing between 100 and 150 tickets will pay $175. For packages of 40 to 100 tickets, the cost per segment will be $200. This seems to distance Humming Airways, at least for now, from a more traditional regional airline model, operating instead as a kind of air broker.

Royal Class Acquires Metroliner 23 as Humming Airways Prepares for Takeoff

<a href="https://news.delta.com/">Delta Air Lines</a> launched a new nonstop service between Seattle-Tacoma and Washington-National, competing in this segment with Alaska Airlines. This route is one of the five scheduled after the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, which enabled serving farther cities from that airport.
«Seattle is a key market for our customers, a crucial hub for Delta, and a premier gateway to the West Coast. Delta congratulates the Department of Transportation for recognizing that additional service from DCA to Seattle will provide consumers with much-needed competition and choice. We look forward to launching this new premium service from DCA in March,» said Glen Hauenstein, president of Delta Air Lines.
The new service will operate daily using Airbus A321neo aircraft with a capacity of 194 seats.
<h3>Growth in Seattle</h3>
In addition to the new service to Washington-National, Delta has focused on its transpacific network in Seattle, offering services to Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, and Taipei. Currently, Delta is the largest long-haul operator in Seattle.
By spring 2025, several Asian routes will be operated using Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a capacity of 306 seats. These changes will add 55,000 seats per year and increase Delta One and Premium Select seating options by 40%. 
Additionally, by summer 2025, Seattle will become the fourth airport to feature a Delta One Lounge, along with the addition of a second Sky Club spanning over 23,000 square feet in Terminal A.
See also: <a style="color: #ff9900;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/delta-air-lines-expands-summer-2025-routes-with-new-destinations-in-the-us-and-latin-america/">Delta Air Lines launches seven new routes in the United States and Latin America for summer 2025</a>

Delta Air Lines Expands with Nonstop Seattle to Washington-National Route

<a href="https://www.condor.com/us?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAmrS7BhBJEiwAei59i9OyW9lrB8EUH5nhLnj4UaZERfHSkgIHmP8jxlCAWKnz-inGOkAxiRoCUScQAvD_BwE">Condor</a> has canceled several routes to Canada and the United States due to a ruling by the German Federal Court of Justice that overturns a measure enacted by the Antitrust Authority. This measure established an interline agreement between the German leisure airline and Lufthansa, allowing passengers from North America to fly with Condor and connect to a Lufthansa service on a single ticket with checked luggage to their final destination.
Following this ruling, Condor has adjusted its schedule for the summer 2025 season by reducing the number of transatlantic destinations, discontinuing services from Frankfurt to Edmonton and Calgary in Canada and Baltimore, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and San Antonio in the United States.
“Condor has cultivated strong professional and personal ties with San Antonio and the other affected communities over the years, and we deeply regret the loss of connectivity and service this will cause. We remain committed to exploring all avenues for fair competition, although we acknowledge that additional legal proceedings will take time to resolve,” said Dr. Jens Boyd, Commercial Director of Condor.
With this measure, San Antonio loses its only transatlantic connection; Baltimore, Phoenix-Sky Harbor, and Edmonton will no longer have nonstop flights to Germany; Minneapolis-St. Paul and Halifax will only be operated by Discover Airlines.
Condor has also made adjustments to its long-haul schedule, operating year-round to Bangkok and Johannesburg. Additionally, it is increasing flights in several West Coast cities in the United States, which are hubs for its codeshare partner, Alaska Airlines.
The German leisure airline has also added short- and medium-haul services from Frankfurt to Berlin, Milan-Malpensa, Prague, Rome-Fiumicino, and Zurich to feed its transatlantic flights.

Condor Cancels Multiple Routes to Canada and the U.S. After German Court Ruling

Qantas maintained its lead over Virgin Australia as the most reliable airline group in Australia regarding on-time performance, although the smaller carrier is canceling significantly fewer flights.
The latest BITRE data published by the Department of Transport for November also reveals that the industry as a whole is still lagging behind long-term averages in terms of delays as post-COVID-19 issues persist, according to a publication by Aviation Australia.
Meanwhile, regional airline Skytrans continued to outperform its larger rivals, with an average of 98 percent for on-time arrivals and departures.
<h4>On-time arrivals (average in percentage)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Qantas and QantasLink – 68.0</li>
<li>Virgin Australia and VARA – 62.7</li>
<li>Skytrans – 97.7</li>
<li>Hinterland – 90.9</li>
<li>QantasLink – 73.1</li>
<li>Rex Airlines – 72.6</li>
<li>Jetstar – 68.0</li>
<li>VARA – 66.7</li>
<li>Virgin Australia – 62.6</li>
<li>Qantas – 60.3</li>
</ul>
<h4>On-time departures (average in percentage)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Qantas and QantasLink – 68.2</li>
<li>Virgin Australia and VARA – 64.0</li>
<li>Skytrans – 97.7</li>
<li>Hinterland – 93.0</li>
<li>Rex Airlines – 76.2</li>
<li>QantasLink – 73.3</li>
<li>Jetstar – 66.2</li>
<li>Virgin Australia – 64.1</li>
<li>VARA – 61.1</li>
<li>Qantas – 60.4</li>
</ul>
<h4>Cancellations (average in percentage)</h4>
<ul>
<li>QantasLink – 3.6</li>
<li>Qantas – 3.1</li>
<li>Hinterland – 2.8</li>
<li>Rex Airlines – 2.5</li>
<li>Jetstar – 2.4</li>
<li>Virgin Australia – 1.7</li>
<li>VARA – 1.3</li>
<li>Skytrans – 1.3</li>
</ul>
“For November 2024, on-time performance across all routes operated by participating airlines (Hinterland, Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink, Rex Airlines, Skytrans, Virgin Australia, and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines) averaged 68.4 percent for on-time arrivals and 69.0 percent for on-time departures,” the report states.
“The cancellation rate for the month was 2.6 percent. The equivalent figures for November 2023 were 64.1 percent for on-time arrivals, 65.9 percent for on-time departures, and 3.7 percent for cancellations«.
“This month, the on-time arrival figure was below the long-term average for all routes (80.7%), and the on-time departure figure was also below the long-term average (81.9%). The cancellation rate was above the long-term average of 2.2%.”

Qantas Leads On-Time Performance in Australia Despite Virgin’s Lower Cancellation Rate

The recent transfer of two aircraft from Nigeria to Iran has raised serious concerns within the international community due to the apparent violation of sanctions against Iran.
As reported by Business Day, the aircraft, an Airbus A340-600 registered as 5N-AAM and a Boeing 737-300 registered as 5N-YSM, were allegedly smuggled to Mahan Air by Azman Air without the knowledge of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, stated that the agency intends to contact the Civil Aviation Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CAA.IRI) to clarify the status of the aircraft.
Achimugu also mentioned that the NCAA will investigate Azman Air for the alleged deactivation of aircraft transponders, although such an action did not take place under Nigerian jurisdiction, according to a report by <a href="https://aeroin.net/avioes-que-desligaram-o-transponder-para-sumir-no-ira-preocupam-autoridades-nigerianas/">Aeroin</a>.
The incident highlights a concerning possible circumvention of international restrictions by Mahan Air, representing an evasion of sanctions imposed on Iran. The aircraft, now stored in Tehran and Mehrabad, were sold without regard for existing international sanctions.
Reports from the Middle East Forum Observer indicated that Azman Air is just one of several companies involved in sanction-evasion operations across the African continent.
Companies like Macka Invest in Gambia and PT Asia Global Airlines in Indonesia have assisted Iranian airlines linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in acquiring aircraft, registering them in countries such as the Republic of Congo, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Gambia before smuggling them into Iran.
The A340-600 model is particularly attractive to Mahan Air due to its ease of maintenance, partly because of its use of Rolls Royce Trent 556-61 engines, which are easier to maintain compared to the U.S.-manufactured General Electric CFM56-5C4 engines used in smaller variants of the A340.
This dynamic reflects an ongoing challenge for the U.S. intelligence community, which needs to strengthen surveillance of aircraft movements in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent future sanctions evasions. The situation underscores the complexity of smuggling networks and the need for enhanced vigilance and international cooperation to reinforce sanctions enforcement.

Two aircraft illegally transferred from Nigeria to Iran by turning off their transponder

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines recently announced changes to its intercontinental operations for the summer 2025 season in the northern hemisphere, starting from March 30, 2025.
These changes include the route from Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro (Galeão), as reported in the latest update on December 22 by the associated media outlet <a href="https://aeroin.net/klm-faz-alteracoes-em-sua-operacao-para-2025-incluindo-nos-voos-ao-rio-de-janeiro/?amp">Aeroin</a>.
Initially, from March 30 to June 1, 2025, the flight frequency will be adjusted, operating 3 to 4 times per week with the Boeing 787-10, replacing the Boeing 777-200ER. During the period from March 30 to May 5, 2025, the service will be reduced from daily to six weekly flights.
From June 2, 2025, the route will return to daily operations with the Boeing 777-200ER. Originally, the route was scheduled to be operated daily by the 787-10, replacing the 777-200ER/787-9, with the 777-200ER planned to operate from July 20 to September 20, 2025.

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