New 'low-cost' domestic routes to open in Argentina from October

Norwegian Air will begin operating domestic routes in Argentina from October, the company has announced.

The airline will connect Buenos Aires (Ezeiza) with Córdoba and Mendoza, with four Boeing 737s based in Argentina. Tickets will be available from September 4.

Norwegian currently operates four international flights between Buenos Aires and London. That route will expand to a daily frequency from December, the company announced in statements to the news portal Infoebae.

'LOW-COST' REVOLUTION

Despite general uncertainty about its economic future, Argentina is enjoying a small revolution in the commercial air travel market.

Local firm FlyBondi began operating domestic routes in January.

In Argentina just 25 out of every 100 people fly, less than half than in Chile (56) and also – according to the Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil Argentina (ANAC) – below the percentages in Brazil, Colombia and Peru, which offer more open skies and routes.

Between 2000 and 2015, the Argentine aviation market grew 21 percent in terms of passengers while in the same period Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Peru expanded by an average of 186 percent, according to the ANAC.

Argentina is now hoping to follow in the footsteps of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Chile and Peru, after the arrival of low-cost options in those countries.

-TIMES