Argentina Pushes Direct Regional Flights to Boost Mendoza, Córdoba and Salta Tourism

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Tourism in Argentina is heading into a new era as the South American nation shifts its focus away from its major international airports located in Buenos Aires and towards other regional destinations within the country. More specifically, destinations such as Mendoza, Cordoba and Salta are becoming more significant due to increased international connections, which will make it easier for tourists to enjoy vineyards, mountain scenery and adventure. The move comes after an aviation liberalisation program which has already led to an increased number of international routes linking interior regions of the country to the outside world. Official government information reveals that there have been 15 international routes launched since 2024 and 2025 which do not connect travellers to Buenos Aires.

Argentina Moves Towards More Decentralised Air Connectivity

Argentina’s aviation market has been undergoing significant regulatory change as authorities seek to expand competition and increase the number of routes connecting provincial airports with international destinations.

The government has reported 50 new international connections introduced during the recent expansion, including services linking Argentine cities with destinations such as Santiago, Lima, Asunción, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Quito and Punta Cana.

The policy has particular relevance for tourism because direct regional services can reduce journey times for international visitors heading to destinations far from the capital.

Mendoza, Córdoba and Salta are among the cities that can benefit from this model, particularly when travellers are building multi-destination South American itineraries.

Mendoza Strengthens Its Position as a Wine Gateway

Mendoza is one of the clearest examples of how regional aviation can support tourism outside Buenos Aires.

The province is internationally recognised for Malbec and its wine routes, with vineyards and wineries spread across areas including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. The Andes provide an additional attraction for visitors interested in hiking, rafting, climbing and mountain experiences.

Mendoza’s El Plumerillo International Airport already handles domestic and international services. Infrastructure expansion is also being planned, with the airport’s passenger capacity expected to increase as terminal improvements progress.

A new direct Mendoza–Rio de Janeiro service announced for 2026 further strengthens the connection between Argentina’s wine capital and Brazil, creating an additional gateway for Brazilian travellers.

Córdoba Builds a Stronger Regional Travel Role

Córdoba is another important part of Argentina’s decentralised aviation network.

The city combines colonial heritage, cultural attractions, nearby mountain landscapes and access to the Sierras de Córdoba. Its position in central Argentina also makes it useful for travellers looking to explore destinations beyond Buenos Aires.

International services from Córdoba to destinations including Asunción, Punta Cana and Brazilian cities have expanded the airport’s role as a regional gateway.

For tourism operators, direct connections can make it easier to create itineraries that begin in Córdoba and continue towards Mendoza, Salta or other Argentine destinations without requiring a return to the capital.

Salta Connects Travellers With Northwest Argentina

Salta provides access to one of Argentina’s most distinctive tourism regions.

The city combines Spanish colonial architecture, museums, traditional markets and regional cuisine with access to the high-altitude landscapes of the Andes.

The province also offers the Train to the Clouds, one of the country’s best-known railway experiences, reaching more than 4,000 metres above sea level. Wine tourism is another important attraction, particularly around the high-altitude vineyards of the Calchaquí Valleys.

Salta has also developed direct international links, including services to Asunción, giving overseas travellers an alternative entry point into northern Argentina.

Direct Flights Could Change Argentine Travel Itineraries

The expansion of regional aviation changes more than airport access. It can also reshape the way international visitors plan holidays across Argentina.

A traveller arriving through Mendoza can focus on vineyards, Andes excursions and adventure tourism before continuing to another South American destination. Visitors entering through Salta can explore the Northwest without first travelling south to Buenos Aires. Córdoba provides another entry point for cultural and mountain tourism in central Argentina.

This approach can also support local hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers and attractions by bringing international visitors closer to the destinations where they spend their holidays.

Argentina Tourism Looks Beyond Buenos Aires

While Buenos Aires continues to function as the main entry point for tourists into the country, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and Ezeiza International Airport still receive many passengers. But the changes implemented in the country’s air sector have led to a more balanced network. According to official statistics, international flights flying directly from Argentine provincial airports to other countries, bypassing Buenos Aires, already show increased passenger figures. The next step in the development of Mendoza, Córdoba, and Salta airports will be to make sure that airlines find profitable routes and that airports have sufficient infrastructure for international flights. From the perspective of international tourists, this change allows them to easily discover Argentina’s regional identity through its vineyards, Andes mountains, cultural heritage, and highlands.