The government of Argentina recently issued a decree declaring a ban on commercial flights in the country. All passenger flight operations have now been suspended until September 1, 2020. The action is undertaken in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and to fight against the spread of the deadly virus.
The decree was first published by the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) of Argentina. It states that establishing September 1 as the day to resume operations and the solicitation of non-regular operations of passenger air transport is a reasonable decision. It also mentions that airlines are now eligible to sell plane tickets from the scheduled date. However, it also adds that the date has not been set in stone and might be pushed back even further based on the scenario.
All non-essential international travel has been restricted in Argentina March 20 and is scheduled to be in force till May 10. With the latest set of actions, Argentina becomes the first country in Latin America to ban commercial passenger flights into the third quarter of the year.
However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Latin American and the Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA), and Airport Council International (ACI) published a joint statement against the measure urging the Argentinean authorities to rethink the move.
The joint statement stated that no consultation process took place before the action was established. It mentioned that due to the current highly complex scenario, airlines still need to cover about 50% of their fixed costs despite not generating any income. It said that many companies in the sector will not be able to survive if the resolution is implemented as planned.
IATA, ALTA, and ACI together opined that restricting commercial flights until September puts the survival of airlines in the country at risk. The organisations mentioned that the move might also put thousands of jobs and the connectivity of Argentina with the world under threat. ALTA mentioned that airports in the country will also be in danger with the action as nearly 80% of their incomes come from commercial passenger flights. It advised that airports in Argentina must face a difficult situation and remain open at least allowing cargo and humanitarian flights.
Tags: Argentina, Argentina Aviation, Coronavirus
