Argentina and Uruguay signed a new aviation cooperation agreement on September 18, 2026, expanding the aircraft leasing arrangements available to operators in both countries. The memorandum introduces additional leasing options and extends bilateral safety oversight to aerial work operations, building on an agreement established in 2025.
Argentina’s Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil (ANAC) and Uruguay’s Dirección Nacional de Aviación Civil e Infraestructura Aeronáutica (DINACIA) signed the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at DINACIA’s headquarters in Uruguay.
The agreement expands the technical cooperation and dual safety oversight framework established in February 2025, which initially focused on interchange arrangements involving foreign-registered aircraft. The updated framework covers additional leasing structures and a broader range of aviation activities.
Expanded aircraft leasing options
The September 2026 agreement introduces several aircraft leasing arrangements into the bilateral framework, including interchange, wet lease and dry lease, alongside other contractual structures permitted under the regulations of both countries.
These arrangements provide different ways for aviation operators to access aircraft capacity:
- Interchange: arrangements allowing aircraft to be operated by different operators under agreed conditions.
- Wet lease: aircraft leasing that includes crew.
- Dry lease: aircraft leasing without crew.
Under the expanded framework, Argentine and Uruguayan companies will be able to operate aircraft registered in the neighbouring country through eligible leasing contracts, subject to the relevant authorisations and operational requirements.
According to ANAC, the measure is intended to broaden aircraft utilisation options and support more efficient fleet management.
The agreement does not constitute automatic approval for cross-border leasing. Operators must continue to comply with the applicable regulatory requirements before deploying foreign-registered aircraft.
Aerial work enters the bilateral framework
A significant development is the inclusion of aerial work operations alongside passenger and cargo transport.
The previous agreement, signed in February 2025, established a dual surveillance mechanism associated with interchange contracts. The September 2026 memorandum extends that cooperation to companies operating in additional aviation activities.
The broader scope gives eligible aerial work operators access to the same bilateral leasing framework, allowing them to consider aircraft registered in either country when planning their operations.
DINACIA confirmed on September 21 that the arrangement is designed to facilitate fleet expansion according to operators’ needs while maintaining regulatory oversight.
Neither authority has identified specific operators, aircraft or leasing contracts expected to benefit from the expanded framework.
Continuous safety oversight remains central
The new memorandum maintains a dual safety oversight system under which ANAC and DINACIA can conduct inspections and supervision of aircraft covered by the relevant leasing arrangements.
The framework provides for continuous monitoring of airworthiness conditions and compliance with applicable operational regulations.
The original February 2025 agreement had already established cooperation between the two authorities, allowing them to inspect aircraft registered in either country while reducing duplicated oversight efforts.
The September 2026 expansion builds on that mechanism by extending its application to additional contractual arrangements and aviation activities.
For operators, the agreement introduces more options for accessing aircraft capacity across the Argentina – Uruguay market. Its practical impact will depend on how companies use the expanded arrangements and obtain the necessary approvals.
The authorities have not published figures on expected fleet expansion, operational savings or the number of aircraft likely to be covered.
What did Argentina and Uruguay agree on in September 2026?
ANAC and DINACIA signed a memorandum expanding their existing aircraft leasing cooperation and dual safety oversight framework.
Which aircraft leasing arrangements are covered?
The framework covers interchange, wet lease and dry lease arrangements, together with other contractual structures permitted under both countries’ regulations.
Does the agreement include aerial work operations?
Yes. Aerial work has been added alongside passenger and cargo transport.
How will aviation safety oversight be maintained?
ANAC and DINACIA will retain the ability to inspect and supervise aircraft covered by the agreements, including monitoring airworthiness and compliance with operational requirements.
How does the new agreement differ from the 2025 memorandum?
The February 2025 memorandum focused on interchange arrangements and dual safety oversight. The September 2026 agreement expands the leasing options and includes aerial work operations.
