In case you haven't heard, we're already in the third day of meetings at airports by the workers of the Aeronautical Personnel Association (APA) of Intercargo. And, while that happens, there is no service for any other airline other than Aerolíneas Argentinas. #Strange”, said Mauricio Sana, CEO of Flybondi, today on X -ex Twitter.
“Do you know who Intercargo's main client is at Aeroparque? Us. We represent 70% of their operations, so we are the main losers. That's why we moved our operation to Ezeiza."
The message from Flybondi's CEO comes after Congress finally approved the draft Law Bases that placed Intercargo on the list of state-owned companies with the possibility of being privatized. This is also why union protests are taking place.
However, the CEO went on to say that the situation would end soon, as the firm will move forward with self-service at Aeroparque and will soon also be able to provide service to all airlines “that do not want to be held hostage by the assemblies.”
"But, in the meantime, the dream of some people of having an Aeroparque painted all in blue and for a single airline is coming true," he concluded, referring to Aerolíneas Argentinas.
The Argentine Government is preparing to sign 10 decrees to deregulate the commercial aviation sector, and one of them would be linked to the reorganization of the airport terminal.
Intercargo is contracted by airlines such as Flybondi, JetSmart and LATAM. Therefore, a strike affects the operation of flights by these companies, while the state-owned Aerolíneas Argentinas, which uses its own ramps, is not affected.
Flybondi announced in a statement that yesterday it decided to move all its operations from Aeroparque to Ezeiza airport in response to threats from Intercargo workers to continue with strike action.
Visuals of an Information meeting at Intercargo Cordoba.
At Ezeiza, the airline provides its own handling services, unlike at Aeroparque, where it must use Intercargo. The company recommended that customers visit the company’s website in the “My reservation” section to check the status of their flights or the official website of Aeropuertos Argentina.
“Flybondi regrets the inconvenience caused by reasons beyond the company’s control and rejects this type of measures that are taken without the slightest consideration of the negative impact they generate.”
Intercargo is one of the companies that could be fully privatized along with Enarsa, according to the latest version of the Ley Bases that was approved on June 28. Meanwhile, Aysa, Belgrano Cargas, Sociedad Operadora Ferroviaria SE (SOFSE) and Corredores Viales SA could be partially privatized.
In addition, private capital may be provided (through a participatory ownership program) in Nucleoeléctrica Argentina Sociedad Anónima (NASA) and the Yacimiento Carboníferos Fiscales complex. Aerolíneas Argentinas, Correo Argentino and Radio y Televisión Argentina were withdrawn from the project.
Picture Courtesy : Vuelos y Spotters
