Aerolineas Argentinas has return to the IATA Clearing House

Aerolineas Argentinas has again completely rejoined IATA after a 10 year suspension. It also returns to the IATA Clearing House which joins together the world’s commercial airlines.

The official full re-entry into IATA represents the fulfillment of one of the most ambitious goals of the company’s Business Plan, opens important growth opportunities as well the development of the national economy, one of the main objectives of the new Aerolineas Argentinas.

The official announcement took place today. The Argentine Secretary of Transportation, Juan Pablo Schiavi, the CEO of IATA, Giovanni Bisgnani, the President of Aerolineas Argentinas, Dr. Mariano Recalde, The Regional Vice President of IATA for Latin America and the Caribbean, Patricio Sepúldeva, the Argentine Secretary of Tourism, Daniel Aguilera and directors and managers of the company were all present.

During the occasion, Recalde stressed the historic moment the company is going through after having been left out of the commercial airline industry, due to previous bad management. He added that one of the objectives of the Plan de Negocios (Business Plan) is thus accomplished. Recalde affirmed that this is one more step towards restructuring the debt that Aerolineas Argentinas has with other airlines that negotiated very advantageous terms.

For his part the CEO of IATA, Bisignani reminded all that Aerolineas Argentinas has been a member of IATA since it was started in 1950 and the difference between AR and other companies that have found themselves in the same situation and have not achieved getting back into the Clearing House (he mentioned Alitalia which was suspended 11 years ago), is that Aerolineas Argentinas, because of everyone’s effort has been able to fully re-enter IATA.

Finally, the Secretary of Transportation said that Aerolineas Argentinas left IATA in 2001, and like the country was left “outside the world.” Today the company returns to the commercial airline industry, like the country, that returns to the worldwide stage by means of reducing its debt obligations.

Schiavi added that for the Argentine government the re-entry of Aerolineas Argentinas into IATA is very important.

The renewal of a full relationship with IATA, as a member of the Clearing House, will allow Aerolineas Argentinas to carry out interline relationships with the airlines it wishes to, therefore offering its passengers any domestic or international choices. As of March 1st Aerolineas Argentinas’ flights have displayed in all reservations systems, of all other IATA airlines, which represents a considerable amount.

So, Aerolineas Argentinas not only enters into the global network but it can offer international travelers (from all IATA member carriers) access to the 33 domestic destinations, served the Argentine national carrier. Its main competitor only serves 14 domestic destinations in Argentina.

Being a member of the IATA Clearing House is one of the requirements to be a part of any of the global alliances. Aerolineas Argentinas is in early stages of joining the SkyTeam Alliance after signing a “membership agreement” at the end of last year. Having taken this important step Aerolineas Argentinas is in an optimal position to become a member of second global alliance (Star Alliance then SkyTeam Alliance and then One World Alliance).

The benefits of Aerolineas Argentinas once again joining the IATA Clearing House:

• Credibility.
• More to offer our clients, more destinations and connections.
• Contribution to the construction of networks.
• More access to Argentina.
• Member of an alliance.
• Cash flow and reduction of foreign exchange operations.

Buenos Aires, March 11, 2011