Avianca Argentina plans to add Airbus A320 family aircraft to its all-turboprop fleet by mid-2018, as it launches commercial service today.

The Buenos Aires-based airline is wholly owned by Synergy, the majority shareholder of Colombia's Avianca.

Synergy owner German Efromovich says at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum that Avianca Argentina will initially serve Sao Paulo for its first international flights. The carrier plans to add three A320 family aircraft by mid-2018, he says.

Efromovich does not elaborate on where Avianca Argentina will source the A320s.

The airline is set to launch flights today between Buenos Aires Aeroparque and Rosario, followed by service to Mar del Plata on 28 November.

Avianca Argentina has also received approval from the Argentine government to launch more than 30 other routes, including international service to cities in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru, a notice from Argentina's civil aviation authority ANAC shows.

Efromovich says there is a possibility of bringing Avianca Argentina into Avianca Holdings, the parent company of Colombia's Avianca and several affiliates in Latin America. However, he emphasises that Avianca Holdings has more important priorities currently, such as finalising a joint venture with United Airlines that is scheduled to happen by year-end.

Avianca Argentina was formerly known as Avian Lineas Aereas before it was acquired by Efromovich in 2016.

Source: Cirium Dashboard