Aerolíneas Argentinas resolved its differences with the unions through agreements that will improve the company's productivity and adjust benefits that exceeded industry standards. Representatives from the unions APLA, AAA, APA, APTA, and UPSA approved adjustments in agreements and work modalities in exchange for a 16% salary increase. These measures, including new conditions for mechanics and senior staff, will promote greater efficiency and flexibility in operations, which will result in a noticeable increase in productivity.
Regarding benefits, the possibility for higher-level staff, retired pilots, and the APLA union to obtain executive class vacation passes for themselves and their families will be eliminated. Additionally, pilots and crew agreed to replace taxi transportation with a per diem scheme and will begin their workdays upon arriving at the terminals, instead of doing so during transit.
In pursuit of greater efficiency and productivity, it will be feasible to reallocate mechanics and ramp personnel according to operational needs, an aspect that has traditionally generated conflicts. Regarding check-in personnel, the block on self-service terminals and automatic baggage dispatch systems has been lifted, while the crew accepted the implementation of an onboard sales service.
Among the changes implemented are incentives to increase pilots' and crew's flight hours, linking salaries to the amount of effective operating hours. In terms of scheduling, restrictions that hindered flight planning, some of which had been in place for over ten years and had not been modified until now, have been eliminated. Together, these measures will contribute to an increase of 3% to 5% in the airline's monthly flight hours.
In a statement, Aerolíneas Argentinas emphasized that these agreements represent a step towards production schemes more aligned with the airline industry. Thanks to management measures focused on this goal and a strategy to reduce costs, the company has managed to reduce its deficit by more than 75% compared to 2023, the year in which it recorded losses of 390 million dollars.
