Aerolíneas Argentinas (AR, Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operating lease of between two and four second-hand A330-200s.
The state-owned Argentine flag carrier is seeking proposals for two aircraft for eight-year operating leases. They should be configured with a maximum take-off weight of at least 238 tonnes (preferably 242 tonnes) and seat 267 passengers, including 24 in business class equipped with lie-flat seats and 243 in economy. Aerolineas Argentinas said it would consider "similar" configurations as well. It said that it would change the "look and feel of the cabin" to match the carrier's current standard. The aircraft should be fresh from C-Check with at least 24 months remaining until the next maintenance cycle for both the airframe and the gear and be certified for 180 minutes ETOPS operations. The carrier did not outline its expectations concerning delivery timelines.
Proposals can be for one or two aircraft. Aerolineas Argentinas said that while the RFP was for two aircraft, it could select up to four if the bids were favourable. It did not set any requirements about the identity of the bidder, allowing submissions both from lessors and airlines.
Aerolineas said its current fleet of A330-200s' utilisation is around 4,000 flight hours per year per aircraft, with a flight hours to flight cycles ratio of 9.5:1.
Bids are due by the end of May 18, 2022.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that after the retirement of all A340-300s during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aerolineas' widebody fleet currently comprises nine A330-200s with a tenth unit due for delivery shortly. The airline has planned to take a further two units since early 2020 but had to first wait out the pandemic. It also planned to add two A330-200Fs but these plans have yet to materialise.
