MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, December 6th 2024 - 21:25 UTC

 

 

IATA warns Argentina may face grave consequences for banning international flights

Saturday, July 3rd 2021 - 11:37 UTC
Full article 7 comments
Leaving a market takes 30 minutes, flying again in a new market takes many years, Cerda warned Leaving a market takes 30 minutes, flying again in a new market takes many years, Cerda warned

International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s Regional Vice President for America Peter Cerda Friday said Argentina was doing just the opposite compared to the rest of the world regarding aviation services and that such mercurial management might entail unwanted consequences.

Airlines are said to be evaluating lifting their Argentine routes after the government decided to restrict the number of passengers through international airports down to 600 a day in a move allegedly aimed at keeping the Delta coronavirus strain at bay, which resulted in several flights being denied landing rights.

Cerda pressed for the lifting of the measures that brought the daily number of international airborne travellers down from 2000 to 600 through a decree which expires July 9.

He warned that carriers may “choose to leave the Argentine market,” because while “the world is opening up” and “learning to live with Covid” they have been forced to adjust their flight schedules as per the initiatives of local officials.

Cerda said in a radio interview there was no certainty “on what will happen after July 9,” but he added that “nowhere else in the world do flights need to be rescheduled every 15 days.”

“They are trying to control the pandemic, which is logical,” Cerda explained. But “what they are controlling is the passengers,” he added. These decisions leave airlines in the middle of a conflict of whch they are not apart.

“Putting a cap is not going to help the situation and puts passengers who need to return to the country at a disadvantage. This quota at the logistical level is very difficult. The airline has to prepare to move passengers. That change without any kind of coordination affects us all,” he added as he warned that faced with such complexities airlines may “choose to leave the Argentine market,” because “Argentina is the only country that has a limitation of passengers per day.”

The airline industry leader also explained that “We went from having 9 to 2 flights per day.” He went on: “We cannot work this way. Argentina is implementing a measure that is unique in the world.”

Cerda also said he hoped to discuss the issue with Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero. “He is the right person to handle this situation that the air system is experiencing but also the citizens who are outside the country,” Cerda pointed out after a meeting between the two of them had been cancelled Thursday.

“Leaving a market takes 30 minutes, flying again in a new market takes many years to materialize. The government has to change the rules of the game,” Cerda insisted.

 

 

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules
  • MarkWhelan

    I think it is amazing that IATA has singled out Argentina to say that “If you cut flights to save your people from COVID the airlines will cut flights to Argentina totally” But on the other hand if Australia and New Zealand do the same thing we will say and do absolutely nothing at all. I think that IATA is getting too big for it's boots.

    Jul 03rd, 2021 - 01:41 pm 0
  • Chicureo

    MarkWhelan


    Agreed! National sovereignty during a pandemic is vital to protecting public health.

    Jul 03rd, 2021 - 02:14 pm 0
  • Pugol-H

    I can understand banning all flights, or flights from certain countries or parts of the world.

    But how does a quota of people arriving, irrespective of where they come from, work.

    Jul 04th, 2021 - 12:18 am 0
Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!