The new regulatory framework, which is more flexible and favorable to competition, sparked renewed interest from companies
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Attracted by the air deregulation promoted by the Government of Javier Milei, several international airlines are considering resuming or launching direct flights to Argentina after the elections.
The new regulatory scenario, more flexible and favorable to competition, has sparked renewed interest from foreign companies in the Argentine market, as highlighted during the annual summit of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), held this week in Lima.
Peter Cerdá, president of ALTA and vice president of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the Americas, stated that "there is renewed confidence in the potential of the Argentine market."
According to his explanation, "the new pro-competition framework creates an attractive environment for expansion. Regional and international operators are showing growing interest. This dynamism confirms that, when regulatory and fiscal conditions are favorable, supply responds strongly."
Numerosas aerolíneas evalúan comenzar a operar en Argentina
Among the airlines considering a return, one of the most important is British Airways, which is evaluating the reestablishment of its direct connection between Buenos Aires and London. The company, which suspended its daily flight between Ezeiza and Heathrow Airport during the pandemic, is awaiting the outcome of Sunday's elections to decide on its return.
In recent years, British Airways has operated with a stopover in Guarulhos (São Paulo) and currently connects via Galeão, in Rio de Janeiro. If the decision is finalized, Argentina will regain another direct international route to Europe.
Additionally, three European airlines, two Spanish and one Portuguese, are already preparing their arrival. The Spanish airline Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas has confirmed that it will begin operations in May 2025 with flights between Ezeiza and Madrid on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and will add two more frequencies in July, on Mondays and Fridays.
Founded in 2011, the company was one of the first to show interest in the Argentine market after Javier Milei came to power. Thanks to bilateral "fifth freedom" agreements between the European Union, Spain, Brazil, and Argentina, it will be able to transport passengers between countries other than its country of origin.
Numerosas aerolíneas evalúan comenzar a operar en Argentina
This way, Plus Ultra will compete directly with Aerolíneas Argentinas, Iberia, Air Europa, and Level, which already offer flights between Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and various Spanish cities.
Another Spanish company, World2Fly, part of the Iberostar group, will begin operations between Rosario and Madrid on October 1, 2026, with two weekly frequencies on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It will be the first time that Rosario "Islas Malvinas" International Airport will have nonstop flights to Europe, once the runway repair works scheduled for December 29 are completed.
Finally, TAP Air Portugal is moving forward with its plan to establish a commercial presence in the country, the first step before launching its regular flights. The Portuguese airline, which is awaiting the sale of the 49.9% state stake before expanding, considers Argentina a strategic destination within its growth plan.
With a fleet of 99 aircraft and its sights set on South America, its arrival would consolidate the return of major European companies to Argentine skies.
