The Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with Uruguay to open the doors to Chilean airlines and potentially other airlines to operate domestic flights within Argentina with their own planes and crews. This agreement replicates previous agreements signed with Chile, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador, allowing for an unlimited number of flight frequencies between the countries. This partnership with Uruguay also allows for domestic flights within each other’s countries, creating new opportunities for airlines such as Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi, JetSmart Argentina, LATAM, Sky, and JetSmart from Chile.
The agreement with Uruguay opens the possibility for airlines from other countries, such as Brazil, to establish subsidiaries in Uruguay and operate not only flights between Argentina and Uruguay but also internal flights within Uruguay. This agreement extends to both passenger and charter airlines, potentially increasing competition and options for travelers in the region. There is also interest in signing similar agreements with Germany and Singapore to expand international flight offerings and increase competition in the domestic market.
While the focus is on expanding air travel agreements, there has been no mention of the privatization of Aerolíneas Argentinas in these discussions. The government is seeking to maximize the supply of international flights, increase passenger flow, and lower costs through these agreements. The potential partnership with Singapore could be a significant step towards achieving these goals and increasing competition in the airline industry in the region.