Introduction of low cost airlines attracts protests

Record ID: 162442

  • Title: Introduction of low cost airlines attracts protests
  • Date: 27th December 2016
  • Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF AIRPORT AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS PLANES TAKING OFF ON RUNWAY
  • Embargoed: 11th January 2017 15:46
  • Keywords: low-cost airlines Mauricio Macri Aerolineas Argentinas unions
  • Location: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • City: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA0025ENRQ6B
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Argentina expects $1.7 billion dollars in investment from low cost airlines over a four year period, Transportation Minister Guillermo Dietrich told industry executives at a meeting on Tuesday (December 27) that was picketed by unionized airline workers.
    The government is on a cost-cutting push as it tries to end a recession and lower its fiscal deficit while battling inflation set to end this year at a dizzying 40 percent.
    Several airlines are in the running for the new contracts.
    "We are here so the airlines that want to invest in the country make their proposals. That means that in the next four years, these companies will eventually invest approximately 1.7 billion dollars, 1.7 billion dollars to bring aircraft registered here in our country." Dietrich said.
    Outside the hall where he made his presentation, unionized workers currently employed at Argentina's airports protested.
    "We want to alert the public. We want to make a request to Mr. Dietrich and the president of the nation (Macri) to reflect on this which isn't a deal. We prioritise security over everything, and Aerolineas has 70 years of prestige in providing security. And we don't want to mess with security for lower costs," Victor Matarrese, a union official representing employees of state run Aerolineas Argentinas, told Reuters.
    Low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA will begin operating flights in Argentina beginning in late 2017, a spokesman said earlier this month, as more air travel operators seek a foothold in Latin America's number three economy.
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