Aerolíneas Argentinas reportedly scrapped 22 flights and rescheduled 28.
An Aerolineas Argentinas A330-200 departs from JFK. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Ben Suskind)
A strike by unionized pilots in Argentina has canceled almost two dozen flights and will likely cost the country’s state-owned flag carrier Aerolíneas Argentinas $1.1 million.
News site Noticias Argentinas reported that the strike, carried out by members of the Air Line Pilots Association at Ezeiza International Airport and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, will continue through Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday. So far, 22 flights have been canceled and 28 have been rescheduled, affecting about 6,000 passengers.
The union said the strike is a response to a breach of contract by the company, delays in salary increases, the lack of a professional development plan, and the “absence of a clear and sustainable strategy for the future of Aerolíneas Argentinas.”
The group also cited technical failures on aircraft, changes to schedules and procedures, and “deteriorating working conditions.”
The airline told Noticias Argentinas that the union never presented the demands it is now making during prior contract negotiations. It suggested the work stoppage is a political calculation on the part of the union’s leadership, not a response to legitimate grievances.
“This latest strike highlights the extortionate nature of this practice,” the carrier said. “While Aerolíneas Argentinas does everything possible to spare its passengers, [union leader Pablo] Biró uses them as hostages. With two long weekends and the winter season ahead, this dynamic must stop.”
The pilots union had already threatened to strike around Easter, but a last-minute settlement was worked out and the strike was called off, Noticias Argentinas said.
Aerolíneas Argentinas said passengers can use its customer service channels or travel agents to reschedule their flights free of charge, or request a refund.
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