Spanning the Pacific Ocean
Aerolíneas Argentinas arranged its first two return flights to China last week. The flights took approximately 55 hours with 6 hours of estimated loading work, using an A330–200 specially prepared with nets to enlarge cargo capacity by up to an additional 84% (13 t).
Taking into account the distance to be covered and the characteristics of the aircraft, a specific analysis of the routes was required. The first stage of the flight of approx. 15 hours crosses the Pacific Ocean, passes Easter Island, French Polynesia and heads south for a refuelling stop in Auckland to cover the second stage of 11 hours.
Pablo Ceriani, Aerolíneas Argentinas' president: "We are planning to go on making this kind of flights at least twice per week in accordance with demand and as requested by the government." (ah)