Over 100+ Flights Grounded in Argentina Amidst Aviation Pay Strike

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Aviation strike in Argentina disrupts flights, with workers demanding better pay amid high inflation, affecting major airports and airlines.

On Wednesday, flight operations across Argentina were significantly disrupted due to a 24-hour strike by aviation employees, who were advocating for improved wages. This industrial action led to the cancellation or alteration of numerous flights at both Ezeiza International and Jorge Newbery airports.

The strike was initiated by members of the Asociación del Personal Aeronáutico (APA), Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas (APLA), and the Unión del Personal Superior y Profesional de Empresas Aerocomerciales (UPSA), rejecting a proposed 12-percent salary increase from their employers, which they found inadequate in the face of soaring inflation rates. Official statistics highlighted a 20.6 percent inflation rate for January, with an annual inflation exceeding 254 percent.

This labor protest predominantly impacted Aerolíneas Argentinas, the nation’s main airline, disrupting its operations extensively. However, the ripple effect of the strike was felt across the aviation industry, leading to alterations in flight schedules and outright cancellations for multiple airlines. Aerolíneas Argentinas announced that the strike led to the reorganization of 330 flights, impacting around 24,000 travelers, including 18,000 on domestic, 3,000 on regional, and 3,000 on international routes.

During the strike, only American Airlines and the budget carrier Flybondi continued operations at Ezeiza, while services at other airlines were halted due to Intercargo employees joining the strike. Jorge Newbery Airport saw a complete shutdown due to the protest.

The unions had notified companies about the strike well beforehand, allowing them time to adjust flight schedules accordingly, which many did.

Amidst these disruptions, budget airlines FlyBondi and JetSmart had to modify their operations. JetSmart notably offered passengers the option to reschedule their flights without incurring additional charges.

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