Pilots’ Strike Forces Aerolíneas Argentinas to Cancel 22 Flights and Reschedule 28 Others
The Airline Pilots Association (APLA), led by Pablo Biró, has initiated a strike that will compel Aerolíneas Argentinas to cancel 22 flights and reschedule another 28 between 6:00 PM on Tuesday, June 10, and 2:00 AM on Wednesday, June 11. This decision directly impacts over 6,000 passengers and is estimated to result in a loss of $1.1 million for the state-owned airline.
A Strike Without Urgent Demands
What stands out most is the context in which this labor action is taking place. Only 20 days have passed since the signing of the latest collective bargaining agreement between the company and the union. According to the airline, no new demands of sufficient urgency to justify a strike of this magnitude were presented during post-agreement meetings.
Aerolíneas Argentinas claims the decision is not driven by legitimate labor demands but rather by a political strategy on the part of the union leadership. The company asserts that this action does not reflect the actual needs of the pilots but rather the particular interests of their union representatives.
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A History of Tensions: Precedents Before Easter
This is not an isolated incident. APLA had previously threatened a strike shortly before Easter. On that occasion, to avoid further disruptions for passengers, the airline called the union representatives to the table and reached an agreement to de-escalate the action.
The current strike, however, reveals a pattern of behavior that the company describes as “extortive.” “While Aerolíneas Argentinas does everything possible to avoid harming its passengers, Biró uses them as hostages,” the company stated, warning about the impact of these actions during a critical time of the year, with long weekends and the winter season ahead.
Aerolíneas Argentinas in Recovery, but Without Union Support
The strike comes at a pivotal moment for Aerolíneas Argentinas. For the first time since its nationalization, the company has achieved a positive operational result. However, the airline alleges a lack of support from the union leadership, contrasting with APLA’s backing of previous administrations—even when those administrations reported annual losses exceeding $400 million.
Recommendations for Affected Passengers
The airline has advised passengers with flights scheduled during the strike window to check the email address used for their booking for potential itinerary changes. The strike will primarily affect operations at Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports, though it will not bring all operations to a complete halt.
For tickets purchased through travel agencies, passengers are encouraged to contact the agencies directly for assistance. Additionally, Aerolíneas Argentinas reminded travelers that self-service channels, available on its mobile app and official website (www.aerolineas.com.ar), provide up-to-date information and alternative contact methods.
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