Argentine aeronautical unions reject open skies policy

Aeronautical unions of Argentina have expressed their rejection of the decision of the Government of Javier Milei on the “open skies” policy, through a decree that deregulates the airline market of the South American nation.

The Aeronautical Personnel Association (APA), the Air Line Pilots Association (APLA) and the Aircraft Union, cited by local media, have denounced that decree 599/24 intends to modify the way in which authorizations to operate in the territory are granted, which will allow deregulation and the entry of foreign commercial airline companies that will “destroy” the flag airline.

Unions have warned that this will cause job losses, route closures and put air safety at risk.

“Argentina has three sovereignties, like any country in the world: maritime, aerial and terrestrial and each of these surfaces has freedoms that the Governments grant in order to be exploited. In the case of air sovereignty, our country has nine freedoms, which have been delivered absolutely with this decree to all the countries in the region, to which Canada has now joined,” declared the member of the Aircraft Union, Alejandro Kogan.

In turn, the representative of APLA, Pablo Biró, stated that the Argentine government “It is raffling off our sovereignty.” He said that the decree puts security at risk and encourages “opening to a drug state because not even the airfields will be controlled.”

The decree, published in the Official Gazette, modifies the way of access to commercial airline markets, repeals regulations and modifies the Aeronautical Code, he noted. Telesur.

In addition, the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) will be the only entity that will approve the authorization to operate in the country. This institution depends on the Ministry of Economy.