Aerolíneas Argentinas started operating a few domestic flights last week, after more than six months on the ground. Since then, two passengers have tried to fly with the airline even when they tested positive for having COVID-19. Therefore, the airline has decided to launch some harsh —but some would say, justified— measures. Let’s investigate further.
Aerolíneas will press charges
According to a statement seen by Simple Flying, Aerolíneas Argentinas is planning to charges against any passenger that tries to avoid the health measures, falsify documentation or attempt to board on a plane while testing positive for COVID-19.
Plus, the airline is planning a five-year ban on whoever breaks the rules. According to Pablo Ceriani, Aerolíneas’ CEO, the five-year ban will be executed on those that:
- Falsify COVID-19 tests
- Don’t bring a negative PCR test to access the Argentinian provinces that require so and deny doing a test on the spot.
Aerolíneas Argentinas is not the first airline to ban passengers who are not playing by the pandemic rules. Delta Air Lines has put over 400 people on its no-fly list for refusing to wear a face mask.
According to the air industry, the rate of COVID-19 on-board infections is near zero. Despite that, flying while being sick is one of the absolute no-nos during the pandemic. That’s why Pablo Ceriani said on Twitter,
“We’ve been flying regularly for less than a week, and, as incredible as it may sound, we’ve had two cases of people that showed up for the flight with a POSITIVE COVID-19 test.”
Can I fly to and in Argentina?
Argentina gathered headlines as the country that remained closed the longest. It recently just opened its domestic commercial airspace but with a lot of restrictions. If you see the COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Argentina is still not fully opened.
According to IATA, passengers are not allowed to enter Argentina until 8 November 2020. Likewise, there are no flights to this country until this date. Only nationals and residents can enter Argentina but must obey a 14-day quarantine.
Currently, not everyone can fly in Argentina. The only passengers allowed to do it are those that absolutely must travel due to health or work reasons. There is no tourism in Argentina. Despite that, there’s light on the horizon.
Aerolíneas expects to operate 52 international flights in November
The Argentinian Government will allow some international flights in November. Due to that, Aerolíneas is planning to operate 52 international flights. Where will it go?
- Brazil: Buenos Aires-Sao Paulo. It will have 18 round flights between both capitals in November.
- Chile: Buenos Aires-Santiago. It will have 13 round flights between both capitals in November. But, travelers must remember that Chile still has many restrictions.
- Bolivia: Buenos Aires-Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It will have four flights in November on the 6, 13, 20, and 27 November.
- The US: Buenos Aires-Miami. It will have 10 round flights. On 1, 6, 8, and 9 November, there will be one flight, while on the 2, 4, and 11 November, there will be two flights.
- Spain: Buenos Aires-Madrid. Aerolíneas will fly nine times to the Spaniard capital. It will do it on the 1, 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, and 28 November.
Do you expect to travel to Argentina any time soon? Let us know in the comments.
