AA to drop LPB / La Paz, Bolivia effective 4 Jul 2018
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
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AA to drop LPB / La Paz, Bolivia effective 4 Jul 2018
Per a reliable source of Latin American aviation news on Twitter...
She made no mention of VVI (AA currently operates a MIA-LPB-VVI-MIA triangle route), so unsure if it will stay on as a direct MIA-VVI-MIA turn or get axed as well.
She made no mention of VVI (AA currently operates a MIA-LPB-VVI-MIA triangle route), so unsure if it will stay on as a direct MIA-VVI-MIA turn or get axed as well.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2001
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According to Bolivian newspaper reports, it is being replaced with MIA-VVI service:
Source in Spanish
American cites growing customer demand in Santa Cruz and decreased costs. MIA-VVI will operate on the same schedule as MIA-LPB starting July 5, although it will be flown by a "more modern aircraft" than the current 752. AA also claims the possibility of a second daily flight.
Source in Spanish
American cites growing customer demand in Santa Cruz and decreased costs. MIA-VVI will operate on the same schedule as MIA-LPB starting July 5, although it will be flown by a "more modern aircraft" than the current 752. AA also claims the possibility of a second daily flight.
#5
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My guess is AA wants to downgauge service but cannot find another longhaul aircraft in its fleet that can operate to LPB, one of the highest commercial airports in the world. And even with the 752, it has to depart with minimal fuel and fly down to VVI to pick up the full fuel load for the transcontinental flight back to MIA.
Also, keep in mind that the 752s are getting very old.....eventually they will need to be replaced.
Also, keep in mind that the 752s are getting very old.....eventually they will need to be replaced.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,453
According to Bolivian newspaper reports, it is being replaced with MIA-VVI service:
Source in Spanish
American cites growing customer demand in Santa Cruz and decreased costs. MIA-VVI will operate on the same schedule as MIA-LPB starting July 5, although it will be flown by a "more modern aircraft" than the current 752. AA also claims the possibility of a second daily flight.
Source in Spanish
American cites growing customer demand in Santa Cruz and decreased costs. MIA-VVI will operate on the same schedule as MIA-LPB starting July 5, although it will be flown by a "more modern aircraft" than the current 752. AA also claims the possibility of a second daily flight.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
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My guess is AA wants to downgauge service but cannot find another longhaul aircraft in its fleet that can operate to LPB, one of the highest commercial airports in the world. And even with the 752, it has to depart with minimal fuel and fly down to VVI to pick up the full fuel load for the transcontinental flight back to MIA.
Also, keep in mind that the 752s are getting very old.....eventually they will need to be replaced.
Also, keep in mind that the 752s are getting very old.....eventually they will need to be replaced.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
What would the "more modern aircraft" be? The 763 is about as ancient as the 752, the 788 seems like too much capacity for VVI alone, and the 737 MAX...shudder. While the latter seems to be a good fit if it has the legs, I would certainly go out of my way to avoid it on a 7-hour flight. Give me a connection in LIM, SCL, or GRU anytime!
#10
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Washington dc
Posts: 1
What would the "more modern aircraft" be? The 763 is about as ancient as the 752, the 788 seems like too much capacity for VVI alone, and the 737 MAX...shudder. While the latter seems to be a good fit if it has the legs, I would certainly go out of my way to avoid it on a 7-hour flight. Give me a connection in LIM, SCL, or GRU anytime!
#12
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: EXPLT
Posts: 142
Services to LPB need to be performed with acft that are equipped with addl oxygen bottles due to the airport elevation. Only a handful of AA’s B752’s are properly equipped in the first place. So not just any acft can fly there.