Argentina’s state-owned airline has cancelled special flights for the World Cup from three provincial cities to Miami for fans of the reigning champions. This decision comes in light of increasing fuel costs due to the ongoing conflict in Iran and a global demand that has not met initial expectations. Aerolíneas Argentinas SA will cease operations of special flights from Córdoba, Rosario, and Tucumán—cities typically lacking direct service to the United States—that were planned for June and July in conjunction with the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The services were originally designed to enable travel for fans from Argentina’s interior aiming to attend the tournament.
As fans globally express discontent over elevated ticket prices, the cancelled flights stand out, particularly in light of the worldwide decline in demand, given that this World Cup is poised to be the final one for the iconic Lionel Messi. Geographically, travelling to the US is considerably more convenient compared to the previous tournament in Qatar, which saw a substantial influx of Argentines as Messi guided the national team to victory. Aerolíneas, as it’s known locally, confirmed it has eliminated those routes and will instead focus its operations through Buenos Aires.
Officials at the firm indicated that the decision was influenced by “strong and sustained increases” in fuel prices which “substantially altered the projected profitability of services” from cities in Argentina’s interior. The carrier announced its intention to enhance connectivity via Ezeiza international airport in the capital, incorporating supplementary services during significant World Cup dates. Aerolíneas currently operates two daily flights between Buenos Aires and Miami and also offers special flights to Dallas and Kansas City, where Argentina is scheduled to play its opening matches of the tournament.