ArgentinaAbout the airline
LADE (Líneas Aéreas del Estado) is Argentina's state-owned airline, operated by the Argentine Air Force since 1940. Based in Buenos Aires with hubs across Patagonia, it provides domestic scheduled services to 30 destinations using a small, versatile fleet.
Fleet
LADE (IATA: 5U, ICAO: LDE) is the flag carrier of Argentina, established in 1940 and operated by the Argentine Air Force. As a state-owned airline, it serves a vital role in connecting remote regions of Argentina, particularly throughout Patagonia where commercial alternatives are limited.
The airline maintains four main hubs: Comandante Armando Tola International Airport, Piloto Civil Norberto Fernández International Airport, Hermes Quijada International Airport, and Ushuaia–Malvinas Argentinas International Airport. This network structure allows LADE to serve 30 domestic destinations with reliable, scheduled service across one of South America's most challenging geographies.
LADE's fleet comprises four distinct aircraft types: Saab 340 and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprops for regional routes, plus Boeing 737 and Fokker F28 Fellowship jets for longer domestic connections. This diverse fleet is specifically tailored to operate from short and unprepared airfields throughout Patagonia, making LADE essential for rural connectivity in Argentina.