Due to the strike of the General Confederation of Labor (CGT) this Thursday, The national economy will lose US$62 million in tourist spending due to the cancellation of at least 700 confirmed flights so far, for the day, with 90,000 passengers affected.
This is what the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), an entity that expressed its concern about the impact of the force measure and brings together 160 companies, including 45 airlines that concentrate more than 80% of the region’s air traffic, while representing 94% of the Argentine market.
Argentina will be practically disconnected by air domestically and with the world, since, until now, only two airlines will operate: la low cost Flybondi which moved its entire day’s operation to the Ezeiza International Airport, and the American American Airlines.
“Counting only the direct losses for the national economy due to tourist spending, US$ 12 million daily is estimated taking into account that, on average, A foreign tourist who arrives by air spends US$ 1,144 per day and, on average, 9,770 passengers enter daily by air. For its part, taking into account the total income (direct, indirect and induced) generated by the aerial operation, For each day of unemployment, an approximate loss of US$ 62 million is recorded”, estimated ALTA.
Aerolíneas Argentinas estimates that the strike will cost US$ 2 million, while JetSmart canceled all 36 flights it had planned for this Thursday. We have seen the need to cancel all flights scheduled for that day, domestic and international, to and from Argentina, he reported.
While, Flybondi will operate 68 flightsbetween national and international, from Ezeiza. There, it has self-provision of the handling service (ground assistance to airplanes and passengers). However, at the airports where Intercargo provides ramp service (such as the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and the Ushuaia and Comodoro Rivadavia airports), it had to make adjustments to the schedule that involved changes in terminals, rescheduling and lto cancellation of four flights.
“This measure, which includes the adhesion of aeronautical personnel and the consequent cessation of activities by more than 30 companieswill have a significant impact on Argentina’s transportation. The planned cancellation of flights will affect at least 400 flights and approximately 70,000 passengers will have to cancel or modify their itinerariesviolating the right to mobility and generating considerable economic losses for the entire aerial ecosystem and the local economy,” ALTA noted.
For ALTA, the industry is a fundamental driver for the economic and social development of Argentina and the region: “The interruption of air services will not only affect tourism and international trade, but also hinders the country’s regional and global connectivity. International tourism alone contributes about 9% of GDP and represents 11% of jobs in Argentina, and 40% of foreign tourists arrive in the country by air.”
In this regard, ALTA warned that “The strike will affect connectivity with the 19 countries that have a direct connection with Argentina, generating a domino effect that will impact the entire air transport value chain and multiple industries that depend directly, indirectly, induced and catalyzed on this essential means of transporting people and goods.”
ALTA recognizes the right of workers to express their demands, but calls to consider the impacts of these actions on the population. “It is essential to find an urgent and negotiated solution that allows reestablishing the operation of air services and minimizing economic and social damage,” he requested, and committed to dialogue between the parties involved.