Transport unions strengthen strike in Argentina; airports are stopped

The support of transport workers’ unions has guaranteed the “success” of the 24-hour general strike that the CGT union organized for this Thursday across Argentina. In addition to rail services and few bus lines available to the population, the movement almost completely paralyzed the country’s airports.

According to the website Argentine Newsair activity this morning was completely zero at Aeroparque Jorge Newbery, while at Ezeiza international airport, Flybondi and American Airlines operated exclusively.

This stop reflects the adherence to the strike by unions of pilots and aeronautical technicians and personnel, who carry out ground tasks and platform and baggage handling services. As Flybondi and American Airlines have their own services in Ezeiza, they were able to maintain some operations on the day.

According to the Aeropuertos Argentina page, the activities of Avianca, KLM, Sky Airlines, Copa Airlines, Gol, British Airways, Ethiopian, Air Europa, Iberia, ITA, Boa, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Turkish have been suspended. Air France moved its departure to after midnight to avoid canceling the flight.

According to the Clarinthe Chamber of Airlines of Argentina (Jurca) reported that the strike is expected to cause losses estimated at US$62 billion, due to the cancellation of almost 400 flights, both domestic and international, which affected the transport of around 70 thousand passengers.

Aerolíneas Argentinas alone canceled 191 flights and said in a statement that this measure is affecting 24,000 passengers, at a cost to the company of US$2 million.

In addition to the suspended flights, ports are paralyzed and schools and universities remain with minimal operation. Markets will see reduced activity on Thursday as banks will remain closed as their employees are taking part in the strike.

Earlier, President Javier Milei mocked the gerve, when he published a photo montage on social media showing a shirt that read: “Yo no paro” (“I don’t stop”).

Hugo Yasky, general secretary of the CTA union, posted on X that the strike was against “a government that only benefits the rich at the expense of the people, donates natural resources and seeks to eliminate workers’ rights.”

(With Reuters)