- Air traffic to and from Argentina was largely canceled on Wednesday
- Union workers went on a 24-hour strike after rejecting a 12 percent salary increase
- Only American Airlines and low-budget carrier Flybondi operated flights from Ministro Pistarini International Airport in the city of Ezeiza, outside Buenos Aires
At least 35,000 passengers were stranded across Argentina after airport workers demanding higher wages went on strike on Wednesday.
The union strike comes a week after Aerolineas Argentinas and Intercargo presented a 12 percent salary increase, which was rejected by the Aeronautical Personnel Association, the Airline Pilots Association and the Union of Senior and Professional Personnel of Aerocommercial Companies.
More than fifty airports in the country remained open, but airlines had canceled hundreds of flights.
Passengers were seen huddled around screens at airports as they learned their flights had been cancelled, while others were sleeping on the floor and resting on couches as they waited for travel to resume.
A security guard stands outside the counters of the airline Aerolineas Argentinas at Buenos Aires’ Aeroparque Jorge Newbery airport on Wednesday, after air travel workers went on strike across the country. The work stoppage has left at least 35,000 passengers stranded
A passenger sleeps on the floor at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina, on Wednesday after flights were canceled due to a 24-hour strike by workers. Three unions representing workers rejected a 12 percent pay increase offered last week
Aerolineas Argentinas, which is operated by the Argentine government, had to cancel 331 flights on Wednesday. The airline said the flight cancellations affected about 24,000 passengers. The company said it expected to lose about $2 million
Low-cost carrier Flybondi and American Airlines were the only airlines operating from Ezeiza International Airport, Argentina’s largest airport outside Buenos Aires.
Flybondi told Argentine news outlet TN that its flights operated from Ezeiza because it employed its own staff at the airport.
State-owned Aerolineas Argentina canceled 331 flights and advised customers to check their emails for updates and contact travel agents if they had purchased their flights through them.
The airline said the strike is expected to affect nearly 24,000 of its passengers, with an economic impact estimated at $2 million.
LatAm, Latin America’s largest airline, also canceled flights to and from Argentina on Wednesday and offered passengers the option to change their travel dates and flights free of charge for up to a year, as long as the flight origin and destination do not change.
Refunds were also offered without any fees included.
Chilean low-cost JetSmart also canceled all its flights on Wednesday, asking passengers to visit the airline’s website to change their flights for free.
Travelers rest at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina, after a nationwide strike caused the cancellation of their flights
Passengers at Ministro Pistarini International Airport look at the flight information screen on Wednesday
Travel to and from Argentina was largely halted on Wednesday following an airline worker’s 24-hour strike across the country
Wednesday’s union strike was the latest sign of civil unrest in Argentina.
Union members blame the government for the failure of salary negotiations.
The union dispute began last week when the Argentine government proposed a pay increase that was deemed insufficient by the three unions that unite the staff of several airlines.
The strike comes as inflation in Argentina has skyrocketed in recent months, largely due to a 50 percent devaluation of the local currency implemented by President Javier Milei’s government, and the elimination of subsidies for public transport and services such as electricity.
Union representatives are seeking a wage increase that will help workers overcome inflation and reach an agreement that will give workers a salary increase of at least 70 percent.