After nearly 20 years in service, Aerolíneas Argentinas is gradually retiring the colossal four-engined Airbus A340. According to the airline, its last two remaining aircraft of the kind – with the registration numbers LV-FPU and LV-FPV – will finally take an eternal rest in early 2020.
Both airplanes were operated by the airline under a lease with American company BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management, and incorporated to the Argentinian flag carrier´s fleet in 2013. It is important to point out that both had previously been operated by Iberia under the same two class layout. It is no surprise that the airline decided to act upon the matter in an effort to increase its profitability on long haul services. Moreover, it is a well-planned strategy to decrease the massive carbon footprint that these airplanes leave behind.
At 16:08 on January 8th 2020, LV-FPV took off from Argentina´s Ezeiza International Airport, the first of the last two A340s that were still operating for the airline. It was destined for Victorville, California, which is an aircraft graveyard.
About a week ago, the airline's new administration under the lead of Luis Ceriani shed some light on the aircraft that would replace the retired A340, which he announced would be the Airbus A330. However, it remains unclear on how many of them will be leased or when will they start operating. A carefully executed 100-day analysis on the airline´s necessities and capabilities will result in a business model to incorporate this change for the next four years.
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