BUENOS AIRES: A strike by the pilots and crew of Aerolineas Argentinas, a flagship airline of Argentina, demanding a salary raise affected more than 30,000 passengers on Friday, according to the airline and unions.
As workers stayed out of jobs for the second time this month, President Javier Milei was preparing to sign a decree declaring the aviation sector a vital service to ensure a minimum level of service during such strikes, said his spokesman.
During the 24-hour strike overall 319 flights were canceled, mainly impacting domestic and regional travelers, but also hundreds of passengers flying to the United States and Europe.
Alex Rodriguez, 53, a Costa Rican engineer was stranded while on his way to visit one of South America’s top tourist attractions, the Iguazu Falls on the border between Argentina and Brazil.
The general secretary of the Association of Aeronautical Personnel (APA), Juan Pablo Brey, said the purchasing capacity of aviation staff had decreased to 40 percent since Milei took office in December.
Milei, since taking office in December, has applied a drastic austerity program in an attempt to control inflation and decades of government overspending. However, annual inflation still stands at 236.7 percent in Argentina.
Aerolineas Argentinas termed the strike untimely, and out of context, promoted by union leaders in an irresponsible way. Milei’s spokesman Manuel Adorni said that those striking would be fined.
Milei had tried to privatize Aerolineas Argentinas as part of his economic reforms but was forced to roll back the move.
