Argentine airline unions go on strike, over 300 flights canceled

On September 13 local time, airline unions of Aerolíneas Argentinas launched a 24-hour strike, leading to the cancellation of a large number of flights and seriously affecting air transport order.

This strike was jointly initiated by the Argentine Airlines Pilots Association, the Association of Aviation Workers, the Union of Senior and Professional Personnel of Airlines, and the Workers' Association of Aerolíneas Argentinas. The purpose is to fight for higher salary and treatment for pilots and ground staff. Aerolíneas Argentinas said the strike caused the cancellation of 319 flights, affecting the travel of nearly 37,000 passengers and resulting in economic losses of more than 2.5 million US dollars.

In fact, the strike problem in Argentina's aviation industry has a long history. Since August 19 this year, various aviation associations have been taking turns to carry out strike protests at different times and in different terminals across the country every week. Previously, on September 6, multiple aviation unions also held a strike. At that time, it lasted nearly nine hours, resulting in the cancellation of 185 flights and affecting about 16,000 passengers.

Facing this large-scale strike, Argentine presidential spokesman Adoni said that employees of Aerolíneas Argentinas who participate in the strike will be fined and punished by the airline. At the same time, Argentine President Milei will sign a regulation classifying civil and commercial aviation as the scope of "essential services", requiring aviation enterprises to maintain a minimum number of flights in operation during strikes. The strike action of Argentine airline unions has brought great inconvenience to passengers and also had a certain impact on Argentina's aviation industry and even the entire economy. The follow-up development remains to be further observed.