Aerolíneas's management stated that this is 'a political strike, not a labor demand.'
The company emphasized its commitment to minimizing the effects of the strike and ensuring operational safety. "While Aerolíneas does everything possible not to harm its passengers, Biró uses them as hostages," they stated, warning that two long weekends and the winter season are approaching.
The pilots' union APLA announced a new strike that will seriously affect Aerolíneas Argentinas' operations this Tuesday, June 10. According to the company, between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 22 flights will be canceled and another 28 rescheduled, disrupting the plans of more than 6,000 passengers.
The state-owned company warned that this service interruption will represent an estimated loss of 1.1 million dollars in direct and indirect damages. Aerolíneas' management stated that this is "a political strike, not a labor demand."
In an official statement, Aerolíneas Argentinas claimed that the strike action promoted by APLA, led by Pablo Biró, doesn't respond to legitimate labor demands. "Less than 20 days after signing the latest collective bargaining agreement, this action lacks labor grounds. It responds to political interests of the union leadership," the company stated.
They also highlighted that the company has just achieved a positive operating result for the first time since its nationalization. "This contrasts with the union's support for previous administrations that caused losses exceeding 400 million dollars annually," they indicated.
The strike affects flights at Ezeiza and Aeroparque airports, although it doesn't completely halt activity. Passengers are advised to check their emails to stay informed about changes to their itineraries. Those who purchased through travel agencies must contact them directly.
APLA keeps that there are "unacceptable contractual breaches", in addition to a prolonged salary delay. They also reported unilateral changes in operational processes and schedules without prior consultation.
One of the most serious points in the union's statement was the warning about technical failures in the aircraft fleet, which they claim are the result of a lack of investment. They assert that this deteriorates pilots' working conditions and affects service quality.
This is not the first conflict between APLA and Aerolíneas Argentinas in 2024. Before Easter, the union had threatened a strike, which was ultimately avoided through last-minute negotiations. Now, however, tensions have escalated again despite the recent signing of the collective bargaining agreement.
The company called on the union to reflect and stated that "the repetition of actions on key dates damages the company's viability and causes direct harm to users who need to travel."
