With restrictions end, airlines hope to recover 100 routes lost by pandemic

The Argentine government’s decision to lift most of the current restrictions on international flights – 14 days after 50% of the country’s population completed their vaccination program – has generated optimism in the commercial airline industry. It is estimated that this situation can be reached by the middle of this month.

In addition, on November 1, the entry of all foreigners will be allowed, who will no longer have to undergo an antigen test when entering Argentina or remain in quarantine. Until then, they must have a full vaccination and negative PCR test for a maximum of 72 hours before shipping.

In addition, on November 1, the entry of all foreigners will be allowed, who will no longer have to undergo an antigen test when entering Argentina or remain in quarantine.

The measures were welcomed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). “The decision of the Argentine government to gradually allow the reopening of air transport in the country is good news in several respects. First, it restores the freedom to travel, which will be particularly welcomed by those who have been barred from flying for 18 months, “he said. Pierre Cerda, Regional Vice President for the Americas.

“Plus, airlines will now be able to plan with greater predictability and regain the connectivity that was lost during that time. It will be a boost for the reconstruction of the Argentine economy, in particular thanks to the contribution of tourism and international trade, ”the association said in a statement.

According to IATA calculations, Reopening Argentina’s borders to international travelers will allow airlines to start recovering the estimated 100 routes (domestic and international) that have been lost due to the pandemic.

They also estimated that the $ 1,779 million of direct contribution to Argentina’s GDP that was endangered while the limitations were in place would begin to be generated. And they detailed that in this way, they will be able to support and maintain the 21,470 local jobs and the total annual contribution of US $ 22,500 million that the sector contributes to Argentina’s GDP.

This announcement marks a major change in the management of Covid-19 risk, moving from general measures at the national level to an individual risk assessment.

“This announcement marks a major change in the management of Covid-19 risk, moving from general measures at the national level to an individual risk assessment.. The next challenge is to find a system not to exclude travelers who are not vaccinated and who will have to continue serving the quarantine, including minors who in most cases are not even included in vaccination campaigns. in their country of origin, ”Cerdá said.

IATA has asked the chief of staff to organize meetings between authorities and industry to work in a coordinated manner on the steps that allow this reopening. The main priorities of the sector are the elimination of quarantines (without affecting unvaccinated minors) and the acceptance of antigen testing as an alternative to PCR in all cases where testing is required.

The latest government measures provided for a gradual increase in passenger entry quotas on international flights. Between this Friday and October 3, 2,300 places will be open per day; between October 4 and 10, there will be 21,000 places per week (approximately 3,000 per day); and on October 11, 28,000 places per week (4,000 per day). Meanwhile, 14 days after reaching 50% of the population with a full vaccination schedule, quotas are removed.

Some airlines have already started to anticipate the increase in their flight schedules for the next few months. This week, Aerolineas Argentinas planned to go from 10 daily international flight departures in October to around 16 in November and December and 25 in January 2022.

Currently, the number of passengers traveling to Europe is only 13% of pre-pandemic figures

In the case of domestic flights, the company plans to reach 61% of pre-pandemic flights by 2022, while in seats it will be 75%. All provinces will have six or more flights per week and 31 intertramos will be scheduled, with 96 frequencies per week between destinations that do not pass through Buenos Aires.

According to the company, there is an acceleration in the number of bookings to fly in the last months of 2021 and the first months of 2022, boosted by the official pre-travel plan. “The positive assumption, in the future for the summer season, is that we will be with between 75 and 80% of the passengers who flew in January 2020. And we have the capacity to add an additional offer”, he said. -he declares. Fabien Lombardo, commercial director of the company last Thursday during a meeting with journalists.

Data from Aerolineas Argentinas shows that in domestic flights in the first four months of this year around 40% of passengers were carried compared to pre-Covid figures, then there was a drop – due to restrictions that only allowed essential personnel to travel. percentages between 20 and 18% and a recovery from July. In September, 422,004 passengers traveled, or 50% compared to the months before the pandemic.

However, the recovery of international destinations will be slower. Currently, the number of passengers traveling to Europe is only 13% of the pre-pandemic figures. For regional flights the figure is barely 2% and for flights within America outside the United States (eg to the Caribbean) it is 7%. The best figures, meanwhile, are for travel to the United States, where the number of passengers is 38% compared to pre-Covid figures.

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