The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) of Brazil has imposed an administrative sanction against Aerolíneas Argentinas, preventing the Argentine state-owned airline from expanding its operations in the neighboring country. The measure, published this Thursday in the Official Gazette of the Union and signed under Resolution 17,252 on June 20, halts the airline’s growth in one of its primary international markets.
What Does the Sanction Entail?
Aerolíneas Argentinas will not be allowed to open new destinations or increase the number of flights to the five Brazilian airports where it currently operates: Rio de Janeiro, Salvador de Bahia, Curitiba, Brasilia, and Florianópolis. While the current flight schedule—which includes approximately 88 weekly frequencies from various points in Argentina—remains unchanged, the resolution prohibits any expansion attempts until further notice.
The sanction does not have a specified end date, and its lifting will depend on the airline regularizing its status with the Brazilian authority.
The Origin of the Conflict
The measure stems from a series of irregularities that, according to ANAC, began in 2021 and were not corrected despite multiple warnings. Among the violations are the registration of passenger flights as cargo flights and the declaration of commercial flights as simple transfers, which raised alerts within Brazil’s air traffic control system.
→ Aerolíneas Argentinas to Operate Over 330 Daily Flights During Austral Winter Holiday Season
ANAC reported that it contacted Aerolíneas Argentinas representatives on several occasions to urge them to address the irregularities. Due to the lack of an effective response, the agency decided to impose the current sanction.
Aerolíneas Argentinas’ Response
Sources from the airline confirmed they received the notification from the Brazilian authority and stated that the issue involves “documentary non-compliance” unrelated to operational safety or the functioning of current flights.
The airline has already submitted initial corrective documentation, which they claim was accepted by ANAC. Additionally, on Friday, they presented the complete file required by Brazilian authorities. The company emphasized that the sanction will not affect current or future operations under the existing schedule and described the measure as “time-limited,” though they acknowledged it could be extended if a favorable resolution is not reached.
What’s Next for Aerolíneas?
While the sanction remains in effect, Aerolíneas Argentinas can maintain its scheduled flights between March 31 and October 25, 2025, but it cannot add frequencies or open new routes. Operationally, the company must focus on resolving the administrative issues flagged by the Brazilian authority to avoid additional sanctions or even restrictions on existing operations.
The situation highlights internal management challenges for the airline and increases pressure on its administrative team, particularly at a time when the regional market shows signs of recovery and opportunities for strategic expansion.
Related Topics
SAS Resumes Flights to Greenland After More Than 20 Years: Direct Service from Copenhagen to Nuuk
Aena Presents Expansion Project for Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport
Air Canada Launches Seasonal Flights Between Montreal and Edinburgh
Spanish Court Temporarily Suspends Fines Against Ryanair and Norwegian for Hand Luggage Fees
Plataforma Informativa de Aviación Comercial con 13 años de trayectoria.