Macquarie AirFinance, the Dublin-based aircraft leasing company, has announced that it has delivered two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Buenos Aires-based operator Aerolineas Argentinas. The 2001-build aircraft were delivered to Aerolineas Argentinas in December and January.

These aircraft will be the first 737-800s to be incorporated into the Argentine flag-carrier’s fleet and will be used primarily on domestic and regional routes within Latin America. State-owned Aerolineas Argentinas and its wholly owned subsidiary Austral serve an extensive network of routes within Latin America, North America, Europe and Australasia operating a fleet of 77 aircraft. Since 2009 Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral have been implementing a fleet renewal programme which aims to consolidate a fleet by 2014.

Mariano Recalde, president and CEO of Grupo Aerolíneas Argentinas said: "The introduction of the B737-800 fleet in Aerolíneas Argentinas represents a significant step forward in an ambitious fleet renewal plan initiated in 2009 and based on the National Government interest to secure strategic airline connectivity in our country and between neighbouring nations."

John Willingham, CEO of Macquarie AirFinance, said: “We have been involved with the Aerolineas Argentinas group for several years via our lease with Austral, but these leases are the first direct transactions between Macquarie AirFinance and Aerolineas Argentinas. We look forward to building on this important relationship.”

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