Airliners.net

AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS RECEIVES FIRST B737-500!

According to an article by Argentine daily INFOBAE posted on the Aeropuertos Argetina 2000 website, the first of 32 new Boeing 737s to be leased over the next five years, has arrived. The specific aircraft has yet to be specified--all I know is it is an ex-Air France or United 737-500, and no reg. is immediately known, but I suspect it is ex-AF F-GJNY, an 11-year-old aircraft. The article attached is is Spanish, but for the sake of the majority, I shall loosely translate it:

___________________________

12 October 2004

Llegó el primer B737-500 de Aerolíneas Argentinas, que sigue renovando su flota

The first B737-500 arrived for Aerolíneas Argentinas, who continue to rennovate their fleet.

Así lo informó la compañía Aerolíneas Argentinas, controlada por el grupo español Marsans, a través de un comunicado.

[...]so informed the company Aerolíneas Argentinas, controlled by the Spanish Grupo Marsans, through a communiqué.

Con este nuevo Boeing comienza el reemplazo de las unidades B737/200 "por nuevos aviones con tecnología de punta, con el fin de modernizar el parque de aeronaves destinados a los vuelos domésticos y regionales", destacó la empresa.

With this new Boeing begins the replacement of the B737-200s "for new aircraft with the latest technology, with the aim of modernizing the fleet of aircraft used in domestic and regional flights", stated the airline.

Al 737/ 500, que se pondrá en servicio de inmediato, se suma un MD de la serie 83 que se encuentra en el país, que llegó desde Dallas desde mediados de la última semana y que se sumará a la flota de la empresa Austral, controlada por Aerolíneas Argentinas.

Together with the 737-500, which will be immediately placed into service, so too will an MD-83 (enter service) which is in the country, which arrived from Dallas in the middle of last week and which will join the fleet of Austral, who are controlled by Aerolíneas Argentinas.

Con la llegada del Boeing 737/500 son tres los aviones, de mediano y largo alcance, incorporados por Aerolíneas/Austral en los últimos 25 días, a los que habrá que sumarle otros dos Boeing 737/500 cuya llegada al país está previsto para los primeros días del mes de diciembre.

With the arrival of the Boeing 737-500, three medium and long range aircraft incorporated by Aerolíneas Argentinas/Austral in the last 25 days, to which will be added another two Boeing 737-500 whose delivery is forecast for early December.

Asimismo, cabe recordar que desde el pasado 14 de septiembre se encuentra en servicio el segundo Boeing 747/400 (Jumbo) de una serie de cuatro que Aerolíneas incorporará a su flota de largo alcance.

It's worth remembering that September 14 marked the service entry for Aerolíneas Argentinas's second Boeing 747-400 in a series of four to be incorporated into the long-range fleet.

A mediados del próximo mes de noviembre se sumarán un Airbus-310, de fabricación franco-inglesa, y dos MD-83. Estos últimos renovarán unidades de la flota de Austral.

In mid-November an Airbus A310 will be added, and two MD-83. These last two will rennovate Austral's fleet

Fuente: Infobae

Source: Infobae

http://www.aeropuertosarg.com.ar

_________________________________

The 737-500 is indeed slightly ahead of schedule. With the cancellation of the Lufthansa deal in back in May, this group of 737s were due to start arriving as of November, but the withdrawal of the type by AF and UA was obviously accelerated, making the aircraft available sooner.

The MD-83 that arrived from Dallas was ex-N824NK, a former Spirit machine, although the two due in November are of unknown origin--one might be ex-FlyingFinn OH-LMR, but don't quote me on that.

The A310 due next month is a former Air Jamaica machine (6Y-JAE), which was subsequently not taken-up by PIA and was finally chosen by AR instead of an older A310 belonging to Air Plus Comet (EC-HLA).

God willing, calmer waters will now lie in store for AR, and hopefully deliveries of the new aircraft will proceed sans problems...

Regards,

ZXV



[Edited 2004-10-13 03:23:04]

ZXV, good news! I am glad that AR is adding more modern aircraft to its fleet. Is the A310 that is arriving soon the plane that will be used for the flights to MEX? I hope we will see AR in MEX soon.

What routes will the 735's fly? If they are going to replace 732's it looks like these have been flying with less than optimal loads; otherwise AR would be looking for 733's, right?

Do you know if AR has plans to start cooperating with other airlines (i.e., codeshare agreements, mileage accrual/redemption schemes, etc.)?

Yup, the first 735 is at EZE

The aircraft is a Boeing 737-5H6, ex-AF. It arrived at EZE on October 9th, from TLS-MAD-SID-REC, in an all-white livery. The registration with AF was F-GJNY.


View Large View Medium

Photo © Christopher taylor


Saludos,
Marambio

ZXV, good news! I am glad that AR is adding more modern aircraft to its fleet. Is the A310 that is arriving soon the plane that will be used for the flights to MEX? I hope we will see AR in MEX soon.

What routes will the 735's fly? If they are going to replace 732's it looks like these have been flying with less than optimal loads; otherwise AR would be looking for 733's, right?

Do you know if AR has plans to start cooperating with other airlines (i.e., codeshare agreements, mileage accrual/redemption schemes, etc.)?

Eddie that was fast!  

As far as I know, the second A310 would be mainly used on a future MEX route. Since that aircraft cannot fly MEX-EZE non-stop (MEX is high above sea level), they would fly EZE-MEX-ACA-EZE, without freedom rights between MEX and ACA. They would just load some fuel and go down home.

AR didn't make any statement regarding alliances or things like that. Currently their only partners are Marsans-owned (or partly owned) companies Air Plus and Spanair. AR codeshares on Air Plus' weekly MAD-EZE-MAD service, operated with a former-AR 742. Aerolíneas Plus members can earn miles on all Spanair and Air Plus flights.

Saludos,
Marambio

Hola Eduardo,

The second A310 is indeed destined to resume services to Mexico, but I can't give you a date as to when that will be. Once the aircraft arrives, I'll have an idea.

The 737-500s will undoubtedly start with routes such as Bariloche, Córdoba, Salta, from where AR plans to open hubs, basing two aircraft at each, but I think they will wait until more arrive.

With regards to the 737-300s, an unspecified number are on order. I'm surprised none are due in the immediate future, as AF's have been out of service some time. I'd presume the -500s were instantly available as they were flying up to or well into the European summer, and therefore hadn't been mothballed for storage.

AR has a total of 15 737-500s on firm order--7 from AF, 8 from UA--for delivery over the next 12-14 months. The exact number of -300s/-500s has yet to be specified, but the total will amount to 32-45 aircraft (there are about 30 B737-200s to replace).

AR/AU's MD-80 fleet is set to grow to 14 aircraft by years' end--2 -81s, 7 -83s and 5 -88s.

As for codeshare agreements/mileage schemes, no developments on that front, I'm afraid. For now it's mostly just Air Plus Comet, Spanair and TAM Mercosur.

Saludos,

ZXV

¡Bienvenido Marambio!

Thanks for the confirmation! It's great to see a CFM-powered 737 in Argentina after all these years (sounds ridiculous, doesn't it, that in Argentina the 737-700s are a thing of the past?!)!

Saludos,

ZXV (un compatrioto!  )

ZXV,

Any chances to see the -500s here in São Paulo? Or maybe at Florianopolis on the coming summer season?

Saludos

Renato

S.p.a.s.

I think "maybe" would be the most honest thing to say. If there will be only 3 B737-500s by the end of the year, then I'd say they won't be permanently assigned to any particular destinations, which would probably increase your chances of seeing one. Personally, I think GRU will start receiving more MD-80 services, but FLN might start seeing the 737-500 this summer, i.e. January/February/March.

Regards,

ZXV

¡Bienvenido Marambio!

Thanks for the confirmation! It's great to see a CFM-powered 737 in Argentina after all these years (sounds ridiculous, doesn't it, that in Argentina the 737-700s are a thing of the past?!)!

Thanks for the welcome!

And regarding the 737-700s, it does sound ridiculous...but you know, this is Argentina.  

Saludos,
Marambio

Hello everyone,

Stupid question: What is Salta such an apparent strategic location? I haven't checked on the flights from Salta of late, but I remember a while back there were flights from Salta to Bolivia (or was it Peru?), and plans for flights to North Chile. What kind of traffic do these routes serve?

Seems that Salta is more prioritized than even ROS, and not far behind MDZ. Being kind of ignorant on Salta I was just curious.

Nice about the 737.5... It is refreshing to see things AHEAD of schedule as supposed to fashionably late!

With this new Boeing begins the replacement of the B737-200s "for new aircraft with the latest technology, with the aim of modernizing the fleet of aircraft used in domestic and regional flights", stated the airline."

Anyone else find that statement kind of humorous? I mean, I know AR aren't the most financially secure airline and I know that the 735 is a great improvement over the 732, but considering they're used 737s I'd hardly say they're "new aircraft with the latest technology".

LH423

1st Aerolineas Argentinas B737-500 already has a registration assigned: It is LV-AYE. And new Austral MD-83 is LV-AYD.

Aerolineas Argentinas will fly B735 mainly to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de Chile from Ezeiza. And the next A310-300 is planned for the route EZE-LIM-MEX and EZE-BOG, while CCS will see an MD88 via VVI in Bolivia.

All fresh news from Argentina

Regards

Hey guys!
Any news as to when AR will increase their services to SYD/AKL??
There is a lot of adds and talk regarding the move here in Sydney, yet no official date.

Interesting developments and information!

First, I want to welcome you Marambio to airliners.net. I am glad that you have joined and are posting already since now we will have more insights by friends from Argentina. I really look forward to reading your postings in the different threads that pertain to Latin American aviation, and hope that you will enjoy reading the postings and participating in the discussions as much as I have. So, again, welcome to the forums!!!

With respect to AR's operations to MEX, I must now ask what gives with respect to LIM? I recall talking many times with LVZXV that the plan is for AR to fly to MEX and stop in ACA just for fuel on the way back since the A310 is not capable of flying non-stop southbound because of MEX' altitude as Marambio explained. But now that Argentina has written "EZE-LIM-MEX" in his posting, I wonder if there has been a change of plans. If such is the case, I would further ask if AR is getting (or has already) 5th freedom rights to fly pax between LIM and MEX and, if so, if this decision is based on the judicial resolution from a court in Peru preventing LP from continuing its operations. Just as a side note, MEX-LIM has become a very contested market since LP started flying it; earlier, AM operated 752's 4x weekly and TA operated A319's 3x weekly (both carriers codeshared)... anyhow, since LP entered the market with 4 weekly 767 flights, fares have decreased and AM has added a fifth weekly flight.

As to the fleet renovation and expansion, I am really glad that AR is growing. I wish that substituting the older aircraft with newer ones will help them be more efficient and profitable. I also hope that they will open new routes... as the main carrier of South America's largest Spanish-speaking economy, they ought to have a good coverage of the region. The 735's seem to me like a good way to open thin routes and, eventually, bigger birds can be rotated to those routes that prove successful. As for AR's flights with the 735, I would imagine that SCL, GRU and GIG are not necessarily the best places to deploy them... since these routes have a lot of demand, I would think AR should send at least Mad Dogs and 733's to these three specific cities instead.

Thanks for the updates, Argentina.

Derico:

With regards to Salta, LB operates a twice weekly VVI-SLA-COR-SLA-VVI service, and has done so since about 1995/6. LAN have also recently added Salta to their network. SLA was also where Dinar were headquartered, and the salteños were very proud of their airline throughout the '90s until it went bust in 2002. Salta is not a particularly large province people-wise, with maybe 900,000 of whom 200,000 live in the provincial capital, but its significance is largely due to a booming tourism, a middle-class recovering swiftly from the crisis, and being the gateway to the northwest, particularly JUJ and TUC.

LH423:

Marketing. Go to Ariana Afghan's website, and you'll see similar claims made about their 727-200s. It's to fool the general public.

Saludos,

ZXV

...the plane is also an ex-Malaysian MH...

Why AR went for used aircrafts ?

Ts-ior:

$$$$$$$. Quite simple, as AR's VP told me in his own words, "now is not the time". AR's balance is not healthy enough to shop around for new Airbuses or 737-NGs, so in the end, they are being resourceful, buying as much as they can for as little as possible, and well, 10-12 year-old 737-500s aren't so bad, are they?
Besides, it is a seismic shift for AR; in almost 35 years of 737 operations, this is the first time they have ever acquired a 737 that's not a -200, which for most of us is welcome news..

Regards,

ZXV

Here's the "new" MD-83 @ AEP:

MyAviation.net photo: Photo © Arturo Castro

MyAviation.net photo: Photo © Arturo Castro

First flight: January 1991.

Regards,

ZXV

First, I want to welcome you Marambio to airliners.net. I am glad that you have joined and are posting already since now we will have more insights by friends from Argentina. I really look forward to reading your postings in the different threads that pertain to Latin American aviation, and hope that you will enjoy reading the postings and participating in the discussions as much as I have. So, again, welcome to the forums!!!

Muchísimas gracias, Eddie!  

And the next A310-300 is planned for the route EZE-LIM-MEX and EZE-BOG, while CCS will see an MD88 via VVI in Bolivia.

It is the first time I hear of EZE-LIM-MEX, though I find it feasable. As far as I know, EZE-LIM is not doing great. Continuing the flight to MEX seems to be a good option, better than ACA. That, of course, if AR gets 5th freedom rights on LIM-MEX. I sometimes wonder if 767 wouldn't be great for AR -- they could use it in North American routes (MEX, LAX), as a replacement in European flights (if it were an ER) and also in cashcow routes during the high season (USH).

What surprises me is that BOG has been doing so well that now they want it to be direct, without the CCS stop.

With regards to Salta, LB operates a twice weekly VVI-SLA-COR-SLA-VVI service, and has done so since about 1995/6

That is correct. A cousin of mine up in JUJ flew LB from SLA to VVI, later connecting to LPB. He said both flights were good, service was correct and all flights arrived on time. Thumbs up for Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano!

Salta is not a particularly large province people-wise, with maybe 900,000 of whom 200,000 live in the provincial capital

Small correction: Salta city has 500.000 inhabitants, while the province counts 1 million people.

Saludos,
Marambio

Hola Marambio,

AR considered the 767-300 in 1993/94 to bridge the massive gap between the MD-88 and 747-200 left by the outgoing 707s. In the end, the economics worked better for the A310-300, of which they operated 3 on the French-register from 1994-2000. You are right, the 767 would make a great cash cow for AR, but I presume they restarted A310 operations due to familiarity and experience on the type, but notice how no other South American carriers continue to operate them. Especially if AR plans to go almost all Boeing, the 767 would do away with the need for the A310s, although replacing the A340s won't be so easy as they are ultra-long range (specially modified if I recall to -200X standard).

That is correct. A cousin of mine up in JUJ flew LB from SLA to VVI, later connecting to LPB. He said both flights were good, service was correct and all flights arrived on time. Thumbs up for Lloyd Aéreo Boliviano!

¿Sos jujeño? LB are really excellent, though they don't receive the publicity they deserve. They are more an airline you will appreciate if you actually fly on them than if people tell you about. Had a great ride on them from VVI-SLA last year on a 737-300 in mint condition. They put many LatAm carriers to shame.

Small correction: Salta city has 500.000 inhabitants, while the province counts 1 million people.

¿Tanto? The city really doesn't feel that big, but then again, neither would you imagine that S.M. de Tucumán is home to 2-3 million, which it is.

Saludos,

ZXV

Hola XV,

I am porteño, but I have got lots of relatives up in Jujuy. I also go there everytime I can. If you have not been there, you should pay a visit. It's worth it.

¿Tanto? The city really doesn't feel that big, but then again, neither would you imagine that S.M. de Tucumán is home to 2-3 million, which it is.

Sí, tanto. Of course, these are unofficial numbers. But I trust locals more than INDEC.  

Saludos,
Marambio

[Edited 2004-10-13 21:12:08]

LVZXV,
Thanks for the Aerolineas update. I've flown AR a number of times and I'm happy to see them upgrading their fleet and doing well. I've always had good experiences with them.

cheers, Ralph

Cmon, guys, lets not get overly done with the paranoia stuff. There's not much basis on saying INDEC isn't accurate. Tucumán does not have 2-3 million! If that's so then it's larger than Porto Alegre, I really doubt that! (unless you're thinking illegals, but still that # is too high) The 2001 census said the province had 1,338,523 inhabitants. Salta had 1,079,051 people, and 5th fastest growing population in the country.

That's why I was puzzled about Salta seemingly overtaking Tucumán, the latter a bigger city. But it makes sense since Salta is between Jujuy and Tucumán, so it's centrally located. Plus the city of Salta is more tourist made than Tucumán, plus the Train to the Clouds... It really blows that Dinar went. It was really exciting to see Salta and Cordoba as new 'hubs'.

I have a dream of seeing Bariloche as the 'hub' of Patagonia, both for Argentina and Chile! Bariloche-Comodoro, Bariloche-Rio Grande, Bariloche-Puerto Montt, Bariloche-Punta Arenas, Bariloche-Mendoza, Bariloche-Base Marambio  

Plus Salta as the hub of the Northwest, and Cordoba as the new AEP. I just pray that things get better from here and in five years we'll see these things happen.

BTW, ZXV, didn't I mention oil at $60?... yikes! We're excrutietingly close!

"...also in cashcow routes during the high season (USH)."

Given that Tierra del Fuego has a rather small population, what makes USH a cashcow route? Is it a popular vacation destination for Porteños?

Besides USH, what are AR's more profitable routes?

Actually Gte, there's a lot of international tourism to Ushuaia, people like saying they were in the southernmost city in the world, take a picture at the signpost that points the distance to all the cities in the world, etc. And many Argentines also go there.

These tourists tend to have medium to reasonably high incomes, plus the fact air is the only real fast way to get to USH... AR probably can even afford a little cushion on the fares! That's why it's a good rainbow pot.

I have a dream of seeing Bariloche as the 'hub' of Patagonia, both for Argentina and Chile! Bariloche-Comodoro, Bariloche-Rio Grande, Bariloche-Puerto Montt, Bariloche-Punta Arenas, Bariloche-Mendoza, Bariloche-Base Marambio.

A few months ago I saw in a magazine, don't remember which one, an AR ad showing a map of Argentina. 3 cities were pointed as "national hubs": Buenos Aires, Salta and Bariloche. Wierd, huh?

Saludos,
Marambio

Can anyone here confirm that RGL (Rio Gallegos) is the southermost airport in Argentina??

Gracias,

Hardi

Can anyone here confirm that RGL (Rio Gallegos) is the southermost airport in Argentina??

Gracias,

Hardi

Hola Hardi,

I am afraid RGL is not the southermost airport in Argentina. It is the southermost Air Force Base. The southermost civil airport in Argentina, and of the world, is Ushuaia (USH).

Saludos,
Marambio

Quote by Marambio #25:

..."A few months ago I saw in a magazine, don't remember which one, an AR ad showing a map of Argentina. 3 cities were pointed as "national hubs": Buenos Aires, Salta and Bariloche. Wierd, huh?"...

---

That ought of make sense from a geographic point of view. It so happens that it also makes sense from a tourism point of view!!

Yeah, I've always seen Bariloche as a natural hub for all of Patagonia. I can't wait to see if some intrepid visionary warms up to the idea. If I had the capital I'd certainly try. And Salta as mentioned makes sense up north, specially if Bolivia, North Chile, maybe even Peru are served in the future.

Cordoba must be fully made a national hub, specially if it picks up more international flights. It's just plain silly to have to detour to AEP all the time.

Derico:

A cousin of mine is working for an oil firm in Comodoro, and he told me they are pumping like crazy throughout Patagonia in an effort to exsport more oil.

Marambio:

Isn't Marambio (excuse the pun!) the southernmost Argentine AFB? I believe it's official name is "BAM Marambio" or Marambio "Military Air Base". Oh for the day you can take a C-130 from RGL/USH to Marambio. Now that's what you call travelling in style!
In Argentina, Rio Grande and Ushuaia are effectively the southernmost air bases, though they are Naval.

Saludos,

ZXV

P.D. Tuve el privilegio de conocer a Jujuy el año pasado. Hice todo menos la zona de La Quiaca (¿que hay para ver?). Me encanto Humahuaca y Tilcara.

Marambio: Isn't Marambio (excuse the pun!) the southernmost Argentine AFB? I believe it's official name is "BAM Marambio" or Marambio "Military Air Base". Oh for the day you can take a C-130 from RGL/USH to Marambio. Now that's what you call travelling in style!

Dear XV, you are right again. That's why I picked Marambio as nickname. The official name used to be "Base Aérea Vicecomodoro Marambio" (Vicecomodoro Marambio Air Base). A few years ago it was renamed to "Base Antártica Marambio" (Marambio Antactic Base), although it is still managed by the Air Force.

P.D. Tuve el privilegio de conocer a Jujuy el año pasado. Hice todo menos la zona de La Quiaca (¿que hay para ver?). Me encanto Humahuaca y Tilcara.

I'm glad you visited Jujuy. Tilcara and Humahuaca are very nice places indeed. I went to La Quiaca a few years ago. I went on Viernes Santo (Eastern Friday) and had the opportunity to see the "procesión" in Yavi. It is very special, since people that live in the mountain go there to thank God for everything He's given them. Very nice and unique experience.

That said, there is nothing really great to see in La Quiaca itself. It's more a border city than anything else, with a small town hall and an YPF gas station. If you do a small detour from RN9 (the one that links S.S. de Jujuy with La Quiaca), you can see the Monumento Nacional Laguna de los Pozuelos. It consists on a 112 sq km lagoon, with incredible wildlife (mainly birds). If you are into wildlife conservation, or just like birds and wild nature (my case), it's very interesting. It is located near the small town of Abra Pampa, 280km north of San Salvador de Jujuy.

Saludos,
Marambio

And the next A310-300 is planned for the route EZE-LIM-MEX and EZE-BOG, while CCS will see an MD88 via VVI in Bolivia

Oh come on, don't tell me they're downgrading CCS to the MD-88  . What about increasing frecuencies on the EZE-CCS-BOG-EZE route? Is it possible?.

WOW!

I cant wait to take some photos at the AEP fence of 735s instead of the usual 732s and MD80s.........

Cordoba must be fully made a national hub, specially if it picks up more international flights. It's just plain silly to have to detour to AEP all the time.

Derico:

Cordoba is such a great city to visit...charming, tranquil, and beautiful..that avoiding COR as a hub has to hurt tourist revenue into Argentina...especially from Brazil and Chile......plus as you said it is SO annoying going through AEP just to get to almost any other city in Argentina.

I give you some fresh information. AR's B737-500 will start commercial flights on November 11th, on these routes:

Flight Dep From To Arr
AR 1240 08:20 EZE GRU 12:07
AR 1241 13:00 GRU EZE 14:55
AR 1244 16:15 EZE GRU 20:02
AR 1245 20:42 GRU EZE 22:37

So Sao Paulo will be the first destination served with the LV-AYE.

Greetings

And flights will be daily, that is twice daily EZE-GRU-EZE flights

No noubt competition is getting fierce on the route GRU-EZE.

Appart from AR, RG and TAM already operate this route. As of December/04 GOL will also operate twice daily flights GRU-EZE (and probaly add FLN-EZE or NVT-EZE in 2005) with brand new 737-700.

By the end of 2004, GOL will have a total of 30 aircraft operating to 37 airports!

View Large View Medium Photo © Felipe Letnar

View Large View Medium Photo © Felipe Letnar

Well done GOL!

Good evening gentlemen,

Martial Saugy, from CH-Aviation, sent me an e-mail with the list of some of the "new" B735s for AR:

2345 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N940UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2404 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N947UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2423 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N950UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2485 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N952UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2490 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N953UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2494 B737-522 Aerolineas Argentinas N954UA Stored at Goodyear United Airlines
2421 B737-522 United Airlines N949UA for Aerolineas Argentinas
2411 B737-528 Air France F-GJNI for Aerolineas Argentinas
2428 B737-528 Air France F-GJNJ for Aerolineas Argentinas

Thanks a lot, Martial!

Saludos,
Marambio

[Edited 2004-10-15 00:11:34]

Marambio:

I posted the full list of delivery dates in August (removed LV-AYE):

Dec. '04: F-GJNI
XXX. '04: N952UA
XXX. '04: N953UA
XXX. '04: N954UA
Jan. '05: F-GJNJ
Feb. '05: F-GJNZ
Mar. '05: F-GJNX
Apr. '05: F-GJNL
May. '05: F-GJNP
Jun. '05: N939UA
Jul. '05: N940UA
Aug. '05: N947UA
Sep. '05: N949UA
XXX. '05: N950UA

...all 14 are ex-AF and UA machines, of 1992-4 build. Many more will undoubtedly follow, as will the B737-300s.

The only uncertainties are the delivery dates of the 3 ex-UA (N952/3/4UA). Although the carticle said the next -500 was arriving in December, it's also possible it could arrive later this month...

Saludos,

ZXV

ZXV: No B737-500 from UA anymore. By now, only B737-500 from AF will be incorporated.
S/N as follows: 26456, 25234, 25235, 26450, 26454, 26448, 27356. Already in Buenos Aires is 26456 LV-AYE, second and third coming in December 2004, the rest in 2005.
We'll see what other B737's will be in AR fleet after these incorporations.
Regards

Argentina:

You mean they were cancelled? Why (dare I ask)?

Saludos,

ZXV

Just because of this: Government has postponed the immediate limitation to bring B737-200's in Argentina, to year 2010. So more B732's can be brought and registered here. This was another kind of "help" to troubled LAFSA and Southern Winds. I think first 7 B737-500's from AF will be arriving on schedule. Don´t think the same about ex UA aircraft.

Just because of this: Government has postponed the immediate limitation to bring B737-200's in Argentina, to year 2010. So more B732's can be brought and registered here. This was another kind of "help" to troubled LAFSA and Southern Winds. I think first 7 B737-500's from AF will be arriving on schedule. Don´t think the same about ex UA aircraft.

Actually the limitation's been postponed till 2011. 2010 is the official dateline, but there will be a moratoria...typically Argentinian.  

Find below the official release of the Comando de Regiones Aéreas (in Spanish):

EL COMANDANTE DE REGIONES AÉREAS DISPONE:

1º) Se consideran aeronaves Etapa 3 (Capítulo 3) a aquellas que cumplan con los niveles de ruido en la DNAR Parte 36.

2º) A partir del 31 de diciembre de 2005, las empresas de transporte aerocomercial nacionales no podrán incorporar (afectar) a sus Especificaciones de Operaciones Anexo I otras aeronaves nuevas o usadas provenientes del exterior, de un peso máximo de despegue certificado de más de 34.050 Kg. (75.000 Lbs.) que no tengan certificación de cumplimiento de Etapa 3 (Capítulo 3), que aquellas ya existentes a esa fecha en el parque aeronáutico nacional. Ello sin perjuicio que las aeronaves ya existentes puedan ser afectadas a otras empresas de transporte aerocomercial nacionales que aquellas que ya las tengan afectadas a dicha fecha.

3º) A partir del 31 de diciembre de 2005, toda empresa comercial nacional explotadora o propietaria de aeronaves deberá retirar anualmente de las operaciones un mínimo de 20% de su flota base. La flota base estará compuesta por todas las aeronaves que tengan un peso máximo de despegue certificado de más de 34.050 Kg. (75.000 Lb.) que no tengan certificación de cumplimiento de Etapa 3 (Capítulo 3), existentes al 31/12/2005 en el Anexo I de las Especificaciones de Operación de la Empresa. Quedan exceptuados los explotadores extranjeros de transporte aéreo comercial regular y no regular o propietarios extranjeros cuyas aeronaves se dirijan hacia o se encuentren en tránsito por el territorio argentino.

4º) A partir del 31 de diciembre de 2005 no podrá operar en Aviación General ninguna aeronave subsónica que tenga un peso máximo de despegue certificado de más de 34.050 Kg. (75.000 Lb.) que no tenga certificación de cumplimiento de Etapa 3 (Capítulo 3).

5º) A partir del 31 de diciembre de 2010 no se podrá operar hacia o desde un aeródromo/aeropuerto de la República Argentina con aeronaves subsónicas que tengan un peso máximo de despegue certificado de más de 34.050 Kg. (75.000 Lb.) que no tengan certificación de cumplimiento de Etapa 3 (Capítulo 3).

6º) Ante la imposibilidad de cumplir el término establecido en el inciso 5º) de la presente, las empresas aerocomerciales podrán solicitar una única prórroga de cumplimiento debidamente justificada, estableciéndose como fecha límite para su presentación el día 30 de junio de 2008. En todos los casos, se establece como fecha límite para las prórrogas que se otorguen, el día 31 de diciembre de 2011.

7º) Durante el período de transición entre la fecha de publicación de la presente y el 31 de diciembre de 2010 las aeronaves con niveles de ruido de Etapa 2 (Capítulo 2), deberán cumplimentar los procedimientos de atenuación de ruido, que específicamente se hayan establecido en aeródromos y aeropuertos. En ausencia de ello, deberán cumplimentar el procedimiento para atenuar el ruido establecido en el Manual de Operación de la aeronave de que se trate, o las regulaciones que oportunamente se establezcan al respecto.

8º) La presente reemplaza y sustituye a las anteriores Disposiciones Nº 114/00, Nº 210/03 y Nº 21/04 del Comando de Regiones Aéreas.

9º) Comuníquese a la Dirección Nacional de Aeronavegabilidad para introducción de las enmiendas pertinentes en los documentos vigentes y a la Dirección de Tránsito Aéreo para la realización de las enmiendas pertinentes a los documentos vigentes y la publicación correspondiente en los medios de información aeronáutica.

10º) Comuníquese, publíquese y dése a la Dirección Nacional del Registro Oficial.

11º) Archívese en la Dirección de Tránsito Aéreo (Departamento Información Aeronáutica).-

Saludos,
Marambio

Hi Marambio,

Do you know which aircraft are included in Stage 3 aircraft list?

Sos de Baires?

Saludos

Hola Argentina,

I am not 100% sure, but I believe all 737 after the -500 (included) are Stage 3. So are all Airbuses I think.

Sí, soy de Baires. De Palermo más precisamente. Vos?

Saludos,
Marambio

Argentina o Marambio:

Do either of you know the fate bestowing AR's recently retired chanchas LV-JND and LV-LEB? Is it true the latter has already been scrapped at BHI? Will any of the rest head for preservation?

Saludos,

ZXV

For those who (have no reason to) know, AR has been flying quite some time to CCS via VVI with MD88 which equalled also to their 2nd daily VVI flight although it used to operate deep in the night, as tec.stop mainly.

Could the 735 operate from LPB, where AR stopped flying to years ago due to lack of proper aircraft?

AR still has a general publicity in Bolivia, of being a poor run airline. All the late good news (new aircraft incorporations, new services, etc.) are not properly advertised here, and I´m sure, they could have a larger market share on Bolivia-Argentina routes if marketing would target that direction.

For LB, it´s good news that AR is not working hard on publicity  

123:

The 735 could easily serve LPB. AR suspended the service in 2000/2001 upon leasing back a handful of 732s with slightly uprated engines, after which it was decided safe operations to/from LPB could not be continued. I still think it was a mistake on the part of the SEPI management to retire the (relatively young) 727s by 1997. They had as much life remaining as LAB's, and were far more versatile than the 732s. To me it was a fleet standardisation policy that backfired.

As for AR's publicity in Bolivia, well, some of it is deserved. AR is turning over considerable profits (forecast to exceed US$50-60 million for 2004), and is acquiring "new" aircraft, but countless new routes such as ATH, DXB, PEK and PVG have yet to be launched and aircraft deliveries are painstakingly slow. Most of what the Marsans management announces fails to materialise, or does so months behind schedule. So yes, AR is still a bit of a "basket case" airline operating in a totally mad and anarchic country governed by a rare breed of moron(s). I'd say Bolivian general publicity isn't far from the truth, especially when they have an airline like LAB as a benchmark...

Saludos,

ZXV