Argentina\u2019s state-owned airline cancelled special flights for the World Cup from three provincial cities to Miami for fans of the reigning champions amid rising fuel costs stemming from the war in Iran and lower demand globally than initially expected. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Aerol\u00edneas Argentinas SA will no longer operate special flights from the cities of C\u00f3rdoba, Rosario and Tucum\u00e1n \u2014 which usually don\u2019t have direct service to the United States\u00a0\u2013 that had been scheduled for June and July around the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The services were originally intended to facilitate travel for fans from Argentina\u2019s interior seeking to attend the tournament.<\/p>\n
As fans worldwide balk at high ticket prices, the canceled flights are notable beyond the global drop in demand since this World Cup will very likely be the last for superstar Lionel Messi. Geographically, it\u2019s also significantly easier to travel to the US than the last tournament in Qatar, which was flooded with Argentines as Messi led the national squad to a title.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Aerol\u00edneas, as it\u2019s known locally, confirmed it scrapped those routes and will instead concentrate operations through Buenos Aires. Officials at the firm said the decision was driven by \u201cstrong and sustained increases\u201d in fuel prices which \u201csubstantially altered the projected profitability of services\u201d from cities in Argentina\u2019s interior.<\/p>\n
The carrier said it will focus on expanding connectivity through Ezeiza international airport in the capital, including additional services during key World Cup dates. Aerol\u00edneas currently operates two daily flights between Buenos Aires and Miami and also offers special flights to Dallas and Kansas City, where Argentina is scheduled to play its opening matches of the tournament.<\/p>\n
by David Feliba, Bloomberg<\/p>\n
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