Argentina Aviation Adventure 2006
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Detailed Argentina holiday report for aviation photographers and aircraft spotters
January 24 - February 3, 2006
By Henry Tenby
For the airliner enthusiast looking for an exotic, far-off the beaten-track holiday destination, with very interesting and accessible aviation spotting opportunities, that is safe for tourists, has lots to offer from a non-aviation perspective, and lastly, must be very affordable, it seems an aviation holiday utopia like this does not exist. Truth be known, there is a holiday destination that meets all these requirements and more, and it is none other than Argentina.
Since the devaluation of the Argentine Peso some three years ago, Argentina has become what is best described as the best tourist value on the planet. For years the Argentine Peso was artificially pegged at one Peso to the US dollar, but this tactic stifled Argentine exports and triggered severe unemployment, which crippled the Argentine economy. To combat the problem, the Peso was allowed to trade freely and quickly established the current exchange rate of 33 cents US, and the Argentine economy slowly returned to stability. The good news for tourists is that Argentina is 60% less costly than North America, and 75-80% cheaper than Europe. A dinner for two in a fine restaurant with salad, main-course, desert, and a good bottle of wine is typically priced in the $15 - $20 range. That’s the full tab! Similar pricing bargains are also reflected in the costs of taxis, entertainment (opera, theatre and movies), hotels, the cost of domestic air travel, and to keep the spouse happy, women’s clothing is 60-90% less than North America and Europe!
The single biggest expense is getting down to Argentina. From Europe, most major airlines serve Buenos Aires, but the best deals are to be found on flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas and Iberia. For example, a round-trip business-class ticket from the UK to Buenos Aires can be purchased for as little as GBP 1200, which is terrifically good value at one third to one half the cost of other airlines. From North America, Continental, American, Delta, United, Lan Chile and Air Canada all provide numerous services to Buenos Aires, with an average economy-class ticket costing $1000 USD. Although the air ticket cost is slightly more than the cost of crossing the Atlantic, the savings start the minute you arrive. Not only will you live like a king for the duration of your holiday, there’s lots of interest to satisfy one’s aviation needs!
Ezeiza International Airport
All long-haul international flights arrive at Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport, situated among grazing fields in the town of Ezeiza, some 50 kms by highway from central Buenos Aires. The airport is simply known as “Ezeiza” by the locals, and it is not impressive from the enthusiast’s perspective. On approach to the airfield, the non-descript farming fields reach for miles into the distance, and this could be any airport anywhere. Upon arrival at the gate, one notices the airport consists of an old, 1950s-era terminal and tower complex, with a newer, current day addition. Our United Airlines 767 from Chicago docked in the original terminal gate area. It was immediately noticeable that the gate areas are separated from the outside windows by a 10-foot wide walkway. The metal frames that hold the exterior window glass sheets in place as so close together, it makes aircraft photography from the departure gate areas completely impossible. Local spotters also spoke poorly of the airport, saying it was very unfriendly for photography. There is no public restaurant or other windowed vantage point at the airport offering airside views, and the airport perimeter is constantly monitored by security vehicles. Loitering about the fence with a camera is not permitted, so there is no need for the spotter to waste any more time at this airport than is necessary for a timely check-in or arrival.
Architecturally speaking, the façade of the old Ezeiza terminal building is quite interesting, as it is a typical example of airport design of the late 40s and early 50s. Few such examples remain, as most airports have revamped or torn down such old structures. But like most other classic buildings in Buenos Aires, the Argentines are proud of their architectural accomplishments, and the terminal is well kept and will be around for future generations. Today, the old Ezeiza terminal building “B” is exclusively used by Aerolineas Argentinas for their long haul international flights, although some domestic flights also operate from Ezeiza, primarily offering connections from the long haul international flights. The newly constructed terminal building “A” is built with the same, well-worn, glass and aluminum design used at all other contemporary airports (Seoul, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and the list goes on) and is used by all the other airlines (other than Aerolineas Argentinas) that serve the airport.
During the 40 minute bus ride into Buenos Aires from Ezeiza, one can’t help but wonder why the planners in the 40s decided to build the International Airport so far out in Ezeiza. Even today the population of Greater Buenos Aires exceeds 11 million, and the city has not expanded its urban sprawl to anywhere near Ezeiza. Thus, the airport could have easily been constructed much closer to the city when it was devised over 60 years ago.
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