Aerolíneas Argentinas Unveils 20-Aircraft Fleet Renewal at Farnborough Airshow
The state-owned carrier will finance the plan entirely from its own resources, replacing a quarter of its fleet by 2031 without state aid.
Aerolíneas Argentinas announced at the Farnborough International Airshow the largest fleet renewal in a decade, confirming the incorporation of 20 new aircraft between 2027 and 2031. The programme, financed wholly from the company’s own resources, will renew 25 per cent of its total fleet and 60 per cent of the aircraft used on long-haul routes.
The plan comprises six Airbus A330neo, eight Boeing 737 MAX 10 and six Boeing 737 MAX 8. At the airshow, the airline formalised leasing contracts for 14 of these aircraft: six 737 MAX 10 with Aviation Capital Group and six A330-900neo with Avolon, while two 737 MAX 8 were already contracted and four more remain under negotiation. The first delivery, a 737 MAX 8, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, with the A330neo beginning to arrive from the first half of 2028.
The new A330neo, configured with 291 seats including a premium economy cabin, will serve long-haul routes to Europe and the United States, progressively replacing older A330-200s. The 737 MAX variants will strengthen domestic and regional services, increasing overall seat capacity by about 10 per cent while the fleet size remains stable at around 84 aircraft as older units are retired.
The investment is backed by consecutive operating profits: US$56.6 million in 2024 and US$120.7 million in 2025, when the carrier received no state transfers for the first time since its renationalisation. “The incorporation of the A330neo is a milestone and the result of long-term planning focused on efficiency, profitability and improving our product,” said company president Fabián Lombardo, adding that the Farnborough agreements signal industry confidence in the airline.
The first 737 MAX 8 is due in early 2027, with A330neo deliveries starting in 2028. The company also plans to modernise cabins on its existing A330 fleet, investing over US$65 million in new seats, interiors and connectivity.
| Continental European press | +0.10 | neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic / Anglosphere press | −0.20 | neutral |
| Latin American press | 0.00 | neutral |
The Farnborough airshow reveals two visions for aviation: Airbus focuses on sustainability and technological innovation, while Boeing remains tied to established models. Continental Europe watches the European strategy with interest but without excessive enthusiasm.
Farnborough highlights divergences between Airbus and Boeing: the American giant appears struggling, but the Atlantic press maintains a cautious stance, underscoring market uncertainties and the need to avoid pessimism.
The Airbus-Boeing showdown at Farnborough is followed with detachment, with attention turned to consequences for Latin American airlines and potential benefits in costs and routes.
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