While many airlines are leaving, another announces its return to Argentina

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – To Ethiopian Airlines’ announcement a month ago – to resume flights to the country from Addis Ababa, via São Paulo, from December 15-, Air Canada has now joined, having already set a date for its return to Buenos Aires.

The Canadian airline reported that it plans to resume its operation to Buenos Aires from December 10.

Pending approval by the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC), flights would operate 4 times a week, initially on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, connecting the Argentine capital with Montreal, via São Paulo, Brazil.

The Argentine government’s decision to announce the reopening of borders to foreign visitors from November 1 and to lift the quota for passengers entering the country from October 19 seems to be starting to have an effect on airlines that had suspended their operations.

“We are very pleased to be able to resume operations in Argentina, following the authorities’ announcement of plans to reopen to international travelers as of November 1. Buenos Aires has historically been a very important route for Air Canada and the new operation will allow passengers more and better options to connect with business, leisure, study and family visits that have linked Canada and Argentina over the years. The company continues to rebuild its global network from its Toronto and Montreal hubs, while maintaining its strong commitment to the Argentine market,” said Air Canada’s country manager for Argentina and Uruguay Ignacio Ferrer.

According to plans, flight AC96 will depart Montreal on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 9:50 PM to land at Ezeiza International Airport at 2:50 PM the following day, and return as AC97 from Buenos Aires at 5:05 PM, with an expected arrival time of 6 AM the next day, always via São Paulo.

For passengers flying to Toronto, flight AC96 boarding in Buenos Aires will allow an immediate and easy connection at Guarulhos airport with the daily direct service from São Paulo to Toronto, also operated with Boeing 787s.

In the region, flights to São Paulo from Montreal will be resumed in December with 4 weekly services, while flights from Toronto will be upgraded to daily services operated with Boeing 787s.

Moreover, flights between Montreal and Bogota will be resumed on December 2, while services from Toronto to the Colombian capital will increase to 4 per week as of November 7.

“We are excited to serve some of South America’s most important cities, offering our customers more travel options from our major hubs. By resuming service from Montreal and adding capacity from Toronto, Air Canada demonstrates its strong commitment to the Argentine, Brazilian, Chilean and Colombian markets,” said Air Canada Senior Vice President, Network Planning and Revenue Management Mark Galardo.

The company said that once released for sale, all tickets are covered by Air Canada’s new refund policy. Customers will have the option of a full refund in the payment method, an Air Canada travel voucher or the equivalent value in Aeroplan Points with a 65% bonus in the event that the airline cancels or reschedules a flight for over 3 hours.

AIRLINES THAT LEFT OR SUSPENDED OPERATIONS

Since the start of the pandemic, due to flight restrictions and lower demand, 4 international companies left the country and decided to cease flights: LAN (Latam Argentina), which closed its local subsidiary, stopped operating domestic flights, but now flies international routes to the country through its subsidiaries in Chile or Brazil; Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways and Norwegian, which operated low cost flights between London and Ezeiza.

In addition, 10 others decided to temporarily suspend their operations, mostly due to border closures: Cubana, Emirates, Alitalia, Sky, Gol, Azul, and British Airways.

In addition, Turkish Airlines, which returned to the country last July, as well as Air Canada and Ethiopian Airlines, which have already announced their return in December.