US and Argentina agree Open Skies pact

The number of flights between the US and Argentina will double in the next two years, thanks to a significant new agreement ratified yesterday (Thursday, March 29).

Mary Peters, US Secretary of Transportation, explained that passenger capacity between the two countries would increase over the coming weeks.

Current capacity on the route is 56 commercial flights per week. Once the agreement takes effect, this figure will rise to 77. By March 2009, 112 journeys between the countries will be permitted every seven days.

Additional terms of the pact include allowances for US carriers to serve other Latin American destinations, and authorization for Argentine airlines to reach more airports in Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, and even Asia.

"This agreement will give travelers better choices and more connections between North and South America," said Secretary Peters.

Expanded code-sharing partnerships are also on the cards thanks to the terms of the new deal, which will also allow unlimited charter flights between the US and Argentina.

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