The company announced the reconfiguration of part of its fleet that will now carry more passengers.
Buenos Aires, April 24, 2018. - Aerolíneas Argentinas announced the expansion of the load capacity of part of its fleet of short- and medium-haul aircraft.
The process involves revamping the interior configuration of the cabin of its 31 Boeing 737-800 airplanes. These planes currently have a total seat configuration of 170. They will be revamped to fit between 16 and 19 more seats in each aircraft, through the reconfiguration of its business class.
In this way, Aerolíneas Argentinas will add around 500 seats, which represents 3 additional aircraft; in other words, it will be able to carry 10% more passengers with the same number of airplanes. This is a 15 million dollar investment. The first stage of the reconfiguration will begin in June and will be completed in December with 20 outfitted airplanes.
With the implementation of this new method, savings in operating expenses for the year 2020 will reach 73 million dollars due to the 10% reduction in costs per seat, which are related to the efficient use of fuel, maintenance costs and other expenses connected with the operation.
Mario Dell’Acqua, President of Aerolíneas Group, expressed that: “With the reconfiguration of the business class (a class we did not make the most of, since only 30% of customers pay for it), we are achieving our goal that more Argentine people may fly more and better.”
“We are experiencing the ‘Airplane revolution’, something that president Macri requested us when he took office. There are a lot more planes flying, which are more connected, and there are more people on board”, stated the Ministry of Transport, Guillermo Dietrich.
The Chief of Executive Staff, Marcos Peña, said that “this novelty also has a symbolic value. Many customers who travel in business class come from the world of politics and from privileged sectors; therefore, this measure democratizes this space, making it available for other sectors of society.”
This measure supplements the 20% wane in prices of the most affordable rates of the company, which are used by 21% of passengers. This process, which developed during the last two years, also targeted the expansion of the offer towards new passenger segments and contributed to higher accessibility. During 2017, Aerolíneas carried 13.1 million passengers and the sale of air tickets increased by 36% during the last two years.
Aerolíneas Group operates a fleet of 81 airplanes, comprised of Airbus 330 / 340 aircraft for long-haul flights, Boeing 737 – 700 / 800 / MAX and Embraer 190 models. The aircraft revamp represents 50% of its short- and medium-haul airplanes.
PRESS CONTACT
Marcelo Canton
AEROLÍNEAS ARGENTINAS S.A.
Press & Media Relations Manager
E-mail: marcelo.canton@aerolineas.com.ar
Ph.: +54 11 3723-9067
ABOUT AEROLÍNEAS ARGENTINAS
Founded in 1950, Aerolíneas Argentinas is one of the leading companies in South America. From its operational base at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires, the company flies to 22 international destinations in the Americas and Europe. Together with Austral Líneas Aéreas, Aerolíneas Argentinas operates flights to 37 destinations in Argentina, and provides dynamic connections between Argentina and the region through its re-inaugurated operations center at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery. Aerolíneas Group is currently carrying out a program for the renewal of its fleet, consisting of Airbus 330, Airbus 340, Boeing 737-700/800, MAX and Embraer 190 aircraft. Since September 2012, Aerolíneas Argentinas is a member of the SkyTeam global alliance.