Mystere IV A
February 4, 2003, 10:14 AM
Aerolineas Argentinas' plans to create subsidiaries in neighbouring countries will enable it to upgrade its fleet by passing older aircraft to the new operations and replace them with newer used aircraft.
Speaking to ATI during the Spanish tourism trade fair FITUR in Madrid, Aeolineas' president Antonio Mata outlined his plans for the expansion: "I can anticipate that we will establish subsidiaries, together with local partners, in Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. To each of these carriers we will transfer two Boeing 737-200s and one Boeing 747-200 from our current fleet."
He says the operations will be integrated into the Aerolineas network enabling them to receiving Argentinean connecting traffic. "In all cases they will be managed by us and in all cases they will be newly created airlines, as we do not want to be hampered by debts or liabilities brought in by buying and existing carrier.
"While the 737 will be flying on regional routes, the Boeing 747-200 will be flying to the USA and to Madrid, opening new markets in some countries," he explains.
"With these long haul flights we plan to reinforce the Madrid hub, from where we will offer European connections, but also destinations such as Beijing our Tokyo. Certainly the fact that we can use Spanish traffic rights through Air Plus [also part owned by Mata] will help to make this project successful. All this will happen during 2003."
Meanwhile Aerolineas will bring in newer aircraft to upgrade its own fleet. "Within two months we will incorporate two Airbus A310 aircraft to our fleet for the routes to Caracas and Lima, which will come from its current operator, Air Plus.
"Starting in April we will receive four Boeing 737-400s and in May a Boeing 747-400 leased probably from Boeing Capital is scheduled to arrive. A Boeing 747-300 or -400 will follow later."
He adds that the carrier has begun redesigning its business class section - now rebranded Club Condor - to help attract customers. A first Boeing 747-200 has already refurbished, and a second will follow next month.
Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2:
Speaking to ATI during the Spanish tourism trade fair FITUR in Madrid, Aeolineas' president Antonio Mata outlined his plans for the expansion: "I can anticipate that we will establish subsidiaries, together with local partners, in Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. To each of these carriers we will transfer two Boeing 737-200s and one Boeing 747-200 from our current fleet."
He says the operations will be integrated into the Aerolineas network enabling them to receiving Argentinean connecting traffic. "In all cases they will be managed by us and in all cases they will be newly created airlines, as we do not want to be hampered by debts or liabilities brought in by buying and existing carrier.
"While the 737 will be flying on regional routes, the Boeing 747-200 will be flying to the USA and to Madrid, opening new markets in some countries," he explains.
"With these long haul flights we plan to reinforce the Madrid hub, from where we will offer European connections, but also destinations such as Beijing our Tokyo. Certainly the fact that we can use Spanish traffic rights through Air Plus [also part owned by Mata] will help to make this project successful. All this will happen during 2003."
Meanwhile Aerolineas will bring in newer aircraft to upgrade its own fleet. "Within two months we will incorporate two Airbus A310 aircraft to our fleet for the routes to Caracas and Lima, which will come from its current operator, Air Plus.
"Starting in April we will receive four Boeing 737-400s and in May a Boeing 747-400 leased probably from Boeing Capital is scheduled to arrive. A Boeing 747-300 or -400 will follow later."
He adds that the carrier has begun redesigning its business class section - now rebranded Club Condor - to help attract customers. A first Boeing 747-200 has already refurbished, and a second will follow next month.
Fly High :windsock:
:pilot_2: