MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Aerolineas Argentinas back in the air

Aerolineas Argentinas pilots and mechanics ended Friday a nine days strike which grounded Argentina's flag carrier and stranded over 80.000 domestic and international travellers.

Pilots union leader Daneil Biro and the mechanics Juan Pappalardo announced the end of the industrial action following two assemblies which accepted the company's proposal to re incorporate 348 staff plus a salary increase.

Mr. Pappalardo said the salary proposal contemplates increases ranging between 130 and 150 US dollars per month, plus a ninety days negotiations period.

"The strike will be formally over when we sign the agreement in the Labour ministry", said the pilots union Daniel Biró who anticipated flights will resume in the next few hours.

The labour conflict goes back two years and erupted last week with a nine days consecutive stoppage that stranded 82.993 passengers, many of them foreigners, and caused the company losses of ten million US dollars, according to Aerolineas sources.

The proposal from Aerolineas which now belongs to the Spanish tourism group Marsans, was reached during long discussions with the unions in Argentina's Government House that extended into early Friday.

Aerolineas Argentinas was privatized in the nineties and since 2001 belongs to Marsans. The company has a fleet of 58 aircrafts, is Argentina's leading domestic carrier plus flying to 27 international destinations.