The government of Javier Milei assured that, if it was not reached privatize Argentine airlinesthe public company will close its doors. The libertarian Argentine president’s plans are to transfer several public companies to the private sector, such as the country’s national airline. In this case, the Secretary of Transport of Argentina, Franco Mogetta, assured that progress could be made in the privatization or its closure in case an agreement was not reached with the employees: “Either it is privatized or it is closed.”
The ultimatum was issued shortly before a crucial meeting between Aerolíneas Argentinas and the unionsin which an agreement is sought allowing the resumption of normal operations after several weeks of air strikes.
The government demanded the normal resumption of activity, without new strikes, and warned that, if no agreement was reached during the meeting scheduled for this Friday at 3 p.m., a preventive crisis plan would be implemented which would lead to the airline closure.
The Milei government has clearly announced its intention to privatize Aerolíneas Argentinas, a process started a few months ago in a context of escalating labor conflicts promoted by the opposition.
The goal is for the airline to stop requiring 8 billion dollars (around 7.433 million euros) that it represents annually for the State. This privatization process could be completed in early 2025.
On the other hand, the secretary raised the possibility of privatizing Interloadthe public company in charge of ground assistance for aircraft from landing to takeoff.
Argentine airlines
According to Mogetta, in a country as large as Argentina, which has a great need for air connectivitythe support service cannot be a monopoly: “It’s crazy that this produces ridiculously high prices. »
Thus, the Government announced last Thursday, as part of a union strike in the company, that progress would be made in the deregulation in support services, in order to reduce rates and offer services at an operational price: “We believe this will generate profits for users.”
“It is one of the companies that was on the privatization list and as soon as possible, according to the proposals we have, we will carry it out,” Mogetta stressed about Intercargo.
The shutdown of ramp service at some airports has forced some passengers to stay stuck on earthwhich was defined by the Government as “union terrorism“. “No union terrorist will be able to take a passenger hostage again and spoil their trip, their vacation, their work trip or for medical reasons, nor refuse to do their job,” declared the spokesperson for the Executive, Manuel Adorni.
In this sense, he assured that our pulse would tremble to “bury the extortions of these criminals.” “This is the end of Intercargo as we knew it until now,” he said.
