Aeroposta Argentina: Connecting South America by Air

Aeroposta Argentina was a pioneering airline that played a crucial role in connecting South America by air. It was founded in 1927 by Domingo Dupuis, a French-Argentine entrepreneur.

The airline's routes spanned across the continent, with a network of destinations that included major cities like Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Lima. Aeroposta Argentina operated a fleet of planes, including the Junkers F 13, which was a sturdy and reliable aircraft for its time.

Flying in the 1930s was an adventure, and Aeroposta Argentina's passengers experienced the thrill of soaring through the skies over the Andes. The airline's planes carried mail, passengers, and cargo, connecting remote communities and facilitating trade across the region.

Aeroposta Argentina was born on August 13, 1926, with an Executive Order amending the Regulations for Navigation on the Argentine Territory.

Vicente Almandos Almonacid proposed the establishment of a national corporation to conform to these Regulations, and his proposal was approved by Chairman Dr. Marcelo T. Alvear and other Argentine jurists.

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The Constitutive Act of Aeroposta Argentina S.A. was signed into law on September 5, 1927, with Argentina becoming an affiliate of the "Compagnie Générale Aéropostale."

The company's headquarters was established on Calle Reconquista No. 240 in the Federal Capital.

Paul Georges Pivot inaugurated the Natal–Rio–Buenos Aires route on November 1, 1927, using a Latécoère 25 registered as F-AIOZ.

Jean Mermoz extended this route on March 1, 1928, when he flew a Latécoère 25 loaded with 36 bags of mail from Toulouse to Dakar, connecting Buenos Aires–Natal by sea until 1935.

This route was called the "Mermoz line."

The company built an airfield in Almonacid Pacheco, 35 km from Buenos Aires, in 1928.

A powerful multimedia station, the LPD Radio Station "General Pacheco", was located on the airfield, which was later transferred to the Post and Telecommunications.

In March 1930, Mermoz flew the first transatlantic airmail in 21 hours aboard a pontoon-equipped Latécoère 28.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry made the inaugural flight to Rio Gallegos in the Latécoère 28 aircraft, registration F-AJLO, "El Pampero", on Wednesday, March 31, 1930.

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In November 1935, the bylaws of the company were amended, allowing the entry of a group of Argentine shareholders.

In April 1938, a decree authorized Aeroposta Argentina S.A. to combine its national and international operations with Air France and Condor Ltda.

In December 1939, a decree changed the frequency of the Buenos Aires – Rio Gallegos and Rio Grande route.

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Aeroposta Argentina had several routes, but one of the most notable was the Buenos Aires to Asuncion, Paraguay route, which was first defined by Paul Vachet on October 31, 1928.

The route took the pilots through several airfields and flying clubs, and the first official postal flight from Argentina took place on March 22, 1929, with Pedro Ficarelli at the helm.

Here are some of the notable routes Aeroposta Argentina operated:

The pilots faced many challenges, including thick fog and rugged terrain, but they persevered and made the routes possible.

The Buenos Aires to Asunción route is a fascinating piece of aviation history. This route was first established in 1928 by Peter Ficarelli, who departed from the General Pacheco Aerodrome in Buenos Aires aboard a Bréguet XIV biplane.

Ficarelli's flight was a significant milestone, as it marked the beginning of a new era in air travel between the two countries. He took note of airfields and flying clubs that could be used as potential stops along the route.

On October 31, 1928, Paul Vachet, Chief Traffic Company, made a similar flight, defining the final layout of the air route from Buenos Aires to Asunción, Paraguay. He arrived at the airport of Asunción at 18:00 Hrs, carrying several copies of the newspaper La Prensa.

The first official postal flight from Argentina took place on March 22, 1929, when Pedro Ficarelli departed from the General Pacheco Aerodrome aboard a Latécoère 25 aircraft. This marked a significant step forward in the development of air mail services between the two countries.

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Here are the key dates and details of the early flights on this route:

The Buenos Aires – Santiago route is a notable one, especially when it comes to aviation history. It spans across the Andes mountain range, a daunting task that requires the right aircraft.

Jean Mermoz and his mechanic Alexandre Collenot conducted the first test flights between Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile in 1928, flying towards Mendoza, Argentina aboard their Latécoère 25. They began on November 19, 1928, and continued until March 9, 1929.

Their experience convinced them that the aircraft best suited to fly the airmail route between Argentina and Chile over the Andes would be a Potez 25. This was due to its superior climbing ability, needed to rise above the Andes.

Five Potez 25 planes were purchased and registered as F-AJDX, F-AJDY, F-AIDZ, F-AJZR, and F-AJZS. This marked a significant step towards establishing a reliable airmail service between the two countries.

The first Santiago de Chile to Mendoza airmail flight was conducted by Jean Mermoz and Henri Guillaumet in a Potez 25 on July 14, 1929.

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The Patagonia region, with its vast distances and limited communication routes, was the perfect setting for the first commercial flights of the Aeroposta Argentina. The company inaugurated its services in November 1929 with a flight between Bahía Blanca and Comodoro Rivadavia.

The initial aircraft used were Late 25 monoplanes, capable of carrying four passengers, and were the first to challenge the strong winds and distances of the region despite their limited power.

The French company Compagnie Generale Aeropostale, which had also recently launched the Buenos Aires-Asunción route, was responsible for the technical aspects of these early flights. One of the pilots was none other than Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the famous French author of "The Little Prince".

The line's pilots were exceptional, making the airline the most southern in the world famous. Armando Ulled, a young engineer and inspector of mines, became the first passenger of a commercial flight in Argentina, flying from Comodoro Rivadavia to Trelew on a Late 25 plane piloted by Saint Exupéry.

The services were later extended to Río Gallegos in 1930, with stops in Puerto Deseado, San Julián, and Santa Cruz, reducing travel times from ten days to just a few hours.

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In January 1979, a special gathering took place to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of Aeroposta Argentina's first flight.

The surviving pilots from that era were in attendance, including Virgilio Mira, Alberto Papa, H. Papa, Leonardo Selvetti, Pedro Artigau, Oscar Bujia, and Martignoni.

Señora Ermenilda Almandós Almonacid, the daughter of Aeroposta Argentina's founder, Vincent Almandós Almonacid, was also present.

A 3D IMAX movie called Wings Of Courage was released in 1995, showcasing the Aeroposta Argentina of 1930 and featuring notable pilots like Mermoz, Saint-Exupéry, and Henri Guillaumet.

The movie depicts Guillaumet's crash in the Andes, giving a glimpse into the bravery and skill of these early aviators.

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The Aeroposta Argentina fleet consisted of a mix of aircraft models, including the Fokker F.VIIb/3m, which was used for both passenger and cargo flights.

These planes were capable of carrying up to 12 passengers and had a range of around 1,000 kilometers.

The Fokker F.VIIb/3m was a versatile aircraft that could also be used for cargo transport, carrying up to 1,000 kilograms of goods.

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Aeroposta Argentina also used the Junkers F.13, a German-made aircraft that was known for its reliability and durability.

The Junkers F.13 had a range of around 1,200 kilometers and could carry up to 6 passengers.

Aeroposta Argentina's aircraft were an essential part of the company's operations, enabling the transportation of people and goods across vast distances in Argentina and beyond.