Commercial aviation and the military: Aerolíneas Argentinas during the last two dictatorships (1966–1973 and 1976–1983)

Abstract

This work deals with the policies concerning Aerolíneas Argentinas, Argentina's flag carrier, during two periods of authoritarian rule: the self-titled Revolución Argentina (1966–1973) and Proceso de Reorganización Nacional (1976–1983). The article seeks to explain the apparent contradiction between the contrasting economic policies of the two dictatorships (one “developmentalist”, the other neo-liberal), and the coherent trajectory of Aerolíneas, characterised by the efforts to implement a more efficient commercial management; the transformation of the fleet, the focus of domestic operations on profitable trunk routes; and finally, the boosting of international aviation. The central argument is that this consistency was the result of two factors: firstly, the fact that since 1955 Aerolíneas and aerocommercial policy were part of the sphere of action of the Argentine Air Force. Secondly, that between 1966 and 1968, the AAF was able to overcome its acute internal disputes and reach a consensus on the direction of airline policy.