Argentina's LASA eyes March launch

LASA, the Neuquen, Argentina-based start-up airline, has announced that it plans to launch flights in the last week of March, operating Embraer ERJ-145LR regional jets from its Mar del Plata hub. LASA said that it initially plans to operate 3 weekly flights to Neuquen, 2 to Bahia Blanca, 1 to Santa Rosa, 2 to Bariloche, 3 to San Martin de los Andes as well as 1 to Temuco and Puerto Montt in Chile, respectively. Al flights will be operated out of Mar del Plata, a major metropolitan and resort area located 400km south of Buenos Aires. LASA's Juan Silenzi said during the presentation of the airline that he has no plans to compete with LCCs by slashing fares, but by offering new services to major provincial cities that will not require connections with Buenos Aires’ domestic airport Aeroparque. <br/>