REMARKS BY AMBASSADOR WAYNE AT AMERICAN AIRLINES COCKTAIL RECEPTION

January 22, 2008

I want to welcome all of you this evening.  It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to host this event celebrating American Airlines’ new direct flight from Chicago to Buenos Aires.

Particularly, I would like to welcome the members of our delegation from Chicago who have actually arrived via American Flight #961. Hopefully you had a smooth flight; if not there might be someone in this room you can talk to!

In July of last year, the United States and Argentina signed a Bilateral Agreement on Civil Aviation, which will allow the number of flights between our two countries to double.

I commend American Airlines for immediately seizing this opportunity as they are the first, in what I hope to be several, new flights between the U.S. and Argentina in the near future.

Perhaps most importantly, the increase in flights will facilitate greater travel between our two countries, which will help promote cultural exchange and foster business opportunities.

It is no coincidence that U.S. airline companies have had direct flights originating in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York City, Washington D.C, and Dallas as these cities offer Argentines excellent business and tourism destinations and offer easy connections to other U.S. cities. 

Now, I am hopeful that our Argentine friends will have a greater opportunity to explore the wonderful city of Chicago.
 
For example, in 2007 the total number of passengers traveling between our two countries grew by more than 25 % both ways! 

So, who knows. . . perhaps next year while I am walking in Buenos Aires, I will see more Chicago Cubs and White Sox hats and the next time I am in Chicago, I will hear the familiar sounds of Castellano or Lunfardo being spoken and see more young people in Argentine Selección Nacional soccer jerseys.

From Tango to the Blues, from da Bears to Los Pumas, Chicago and Buenos Aires have much to share!

I hope all of you have a wonderful evening and would now like to invite Mr. Sergio Hurtado, General Manager of American Airlines Argentina, to say a few words.