In a month, Aerolíneas would lose 2 million US dollars for the unemployed 737 MAX

Canceled flights, other reprogrammed and some delays are the consequences for Aerolineas Argentinas of paralysis of the five Boeing 737 MAX 8 of the company, following two accidents of these aircraft in recent months in Indonesia and Ethiopia. That's what said Marcelo Cantón, director of general affairs and communications of the state company. Also, economically, after one month, this will represent a loss of 2 million USD.

Aerolineas Argentinas pays $ 400,000 rent per month for each of the 737 MAX 8. At this point, the aircraft do not belong to the company: have them through a location financial. If the decision to keep them on shore lasts a month, the economic loss will be about two million dollars. And according to what has been raised by society, it would be unlikely that they're flying again in the next 30 days.

"We have an ongoing dialogue with Boeing and our technical teams collect information on both accidents. we will not be the first to go out and drive them again. Beyond the cost, it's safety and Aerolíneas is recognized around the world for that, "said Canton, noting that the restrictions being lifted in Europe, the United States and China, they will wait a cautious time to reactivate 737 MAX flights.

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With regard to the right and the badertion that the airlines could make, there is a particularity. In Argentina, ANAC did not shut down the airspace of the 737 MAX: it was a particular decision of the state-owned company. Therefore, this factor could have a negative effect when applying for compensation. Similarly, the planes are not owned by Boeing. In any case, the Director of Corporate Affairs insisted that "the legal part is being badyzed".

Plan B

For domestic and regional flights, Aerolineas Argentinas has 70 aircraft, including five 737 MAX 8s. With the paralysis of these aircraft, the company ended up with 3000 fewer seats per day. However, some flights have been canceled and few seats sold and grouped with others. This reprogramming, however, caused delays on some routes due to complications during the rotation. "It was a major blow"Canton said before the question of MDZ.

In any case, there is an incentive. "The good thing is that it happened in the low season," said the head of the airline. However, if you continue this measurement, Easter will be a big problem. "If it's something long-term, it will be an interesting challenge for society," said Cantón, who arrived in Mendoza on Thursday to announce an increase in air connections to Mendoza.

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Firstly, The airlines are waiting for the investigations to progress, especially that of the last accident in Ethiopiaand that Boeing sends the recommendations to be taken into account. After the fall of the first 737 MAX of Lion Air, the US company sent a document containing a series of elements to take into account, insofar as it was detected that there had been a human failure while he did not know how to handle a problem with an automated system. However, this was emphasized during the pilot training.

"When Boeing made the recommendations after the Lion Air crash (it fell in Indonesia last October), the airlines found that we were already meeting those requirements," said Cantón. Now, the Argentine society is waiting for the report with the causes of the Ethiopian tragedy (fallen this Sunday in Ethiopia) to act accordingly.

Since it started working with the 737 MAX 8, The airlines made 7,500 flights with these planes without reporting an incident. In addition, the implementation of these aircraft has resulted in significant fuel economy, since they consume 15% less.