Airline strike in Argentina grounds thousands of passengers

A traveler walks past Aerolineas Argentinas check-in stand at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017. A 24-hour strike by workers of the state-run companies, Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral, is causing the cancellation of dozens of flights, grounding of thousands of passengers. AP Photo

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—A strike by workers of two of the largest airlines in Argentina caused the cancellation of dozens of flights and the grounding of tens of thousands of passengers on Tuesday.

Unions representing state-run carrier Aerolineas Argentinas and sister company Austral Lineas Aereas are demanding a 26 percent salary hike in line with the inflation rate.

The Telam state news agency said that about 40,000 people have been affected and 300 domestic and international flights have been canceled by the 24-hour stoppage.

The Jorge Newbery airport in Buenos Aires was inactive due to the strike, while several areas of the Ezeiza airport in the outskirts of the Argentine capital remained empty at midday.

The president of the Aerolineas Argentinas group is criticizing the unions representing the workers and says that the company might take legal action.

The group says passengers can change the date of their flights at no charge.

Union secretary general Ruben Fernandez tells local news media that the unions will likely stage other strikes if their demands are not met. /jpv