MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Aerolineas Argentinas begins flying again

Aerolineas Argentinas ground staff and pilots voted to return to work Friday evening after reaching a tentative agreement with the company putting an end to a 36 hours industrial action that left almost 10,000 passengers stranded in Buenos Aires City two main airports, Ezeiza and Aeroparque.

The Argentine flag carrier now under control of Spanish tourism corporation Marsans said it will reinforce services to ensure that in 48 hours the situation is back to normal. According to company sources the unexpected stoppage which began Thursday forced the cancellation of 90 domestic flights, 21 international and delayed a further 18.

Aerolineas Argentinas is still Argentina's main airline with an 80% share of the domestic market and a staff of 8.500.

The company said it had returned fares' money to all passengers, domestic and international, who had requested it and provided food, lodging and land transport to all those travellers who lost their connections. Striking pilots were demanding a 46% salary increase and an end to "bullying" tactics against their union and leaders. Ground crews demands included a 75% salary increase, reincorporation of staff left redundant and full contracts for temporary labour.

Apparently the company agreed to a flat advance equivalent to 140 US dollars for pilots and ground staff during the next two months until the final agreement is worked out.

Earlier in the day Aerolineas spokesperson claimed the strike was "political" since it followed accusations by the company's CEO Antonio Mata that the current Commercial Air Transport UnderSecretary Ricardo Cirielli was intent in destabilizing Aerolineas.

Mr. Cirielli is chairman of Argentina's ground crews union on special leave to occupy the current post in President Nestor Kirchner's administration cabinet. Argentine unions never accepted turning the country's flag carrier to the private sector.

Several Boeings 737 from Chilean Sky airlines were ready in Santiago to fly to Buenos Aires to pick up stranded Chilean travellers when the agreement was reached. The surprise strike was particularly effective because it was unexpected and coincided with spring holidays in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.