Buenos Aires [Argentina], February 29: Hundreds of flights were canceled and tens of thousands of passengers were affected amid a large-scale strike by airline staff at airports in Argentina on February 28.
Hundreds of flights were canceled and dozens more had to be rescheduled in Argentina on February 28, when airline workers went on strike for 24 hours to demand higher pay. This event is the latest sign of unrest in this South American country, according to Buenos Aires Times.
The strike not only affected state-owned airline Aerolíneas Argentinas, but air traffic across the country was negatively impacted. Flight schedules were disrupted, many flights were even completely canceled.
In the case of Aerolíneas Argentinas alone, the strike caused 330 flights to have to adjust flight times, affecting nearly 24,000 passengers.
At Ezeiza airport, there are only two airlines operating, American Airlines and Flybondi, while other airlines are affected because employees participate in strikes. Even Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport in the Argentine capital had to stop operating completely.
The unions informed the airlines in advance before organizing the strike so that they could promptly arrange flights.
Ms. Angela Alaiaga, a Bolivian tourist planning to fly on February 28, complained: "We were told that there was a strike and no one was taking the flight. We were given a contact code for Aerolíneas Argentinas, We tried to contact them but couldn't, so I don't know when I can fly."
Some other carriers operating in Argentina, FlyBondi and JetSmart, were forced to adapt to challenging conditions. Flybondi Airlines announced that they will transfer all flights on February 28 to Ezeiza International Airport because of many unannounced strikes. JetSmart offers to reschedule passengers' flights at no additional charge.
Tensions arise when three groups including the Airline Employees Association (APA), Airline Pilots (APLA), and the Union of Senior and Professional Employees of Commercial Aviation Companies (UPSA) disagree with the proposed 12% salary increase from the Argentine government.
Besides, the strikes take place in a context where inflation in Argentina has skyrocketed in recent months. According to Argentine government data, inflation in January was 20.6% and year-on-year inflation was more than 254%.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper