Aerolineas Argentinas to aquire 737-800F freighters

Argentina-based airline Aerolineas Argentinas will acquire freighters for the first time this year.

The government-owned Buenos Aires-based airline currently has a 100% passenger aircraft fleet, but said in a LinkedIn post on December 30 that it plans to add two B737-800 freighters.

“We are going to incorporate two B737-800 freighters destined to carry Argentine and regional products,” said the company.

The Buenos Aires-based carrier said the two aircraft are due to arrive in the fleet in the first quarter of 2023, reports Air Cargo News sister title Flight Global, and are part of a deal with Mirgor Group, an Argentine company that produces electronics and automotive components, and exports agricultural products.

“In this way, Aerolineas aims in 2023 to grow in the cargo transportation business with aircraft 100% configured for this purpose,” the company said.

“In this first stage of operations, Mirgor will be its main partner, using part of the cargo capacity of the new aircraft.”

The agreement will allow Mirgor “to continue enhancing its logistical capabilities and strengths and serving its customers better and faster”.

According to the airline’s website, its passenger fleet currently includes 26 Embraer 190 aircraft, 39 B737-700 and B737-800 aircraft, 5 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, and 10 Airbus 330-200 aircraft.

The carrier said that last year it transported large amounts of agricultural products including cherries, salmon, seeds and meat to the US, Europe the Middle East and other international destinations in the belly cargo of passenger flights.

”The new planes will allow a significant increase in cargo transport capacity,” the airline said.

Aerolíneas Argentinas flies to 37 destinations within the country. It also operates flights to 20 international destinations within America and Europe.

In addition, the airline is part of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance, together with 19 airlines in the world.

Through this alliance, it offers its passengers connectivity to more than 1,036 destinations in more than 170 countries.

In 2020, Aerolíneas Argentinas merged with Austral Líneas Aéreas, a domestic and regional airline that was already part of the business group.