Argentina ATC strike lifted after August 27 deal

Published on Aug 30, 2025, 9:34 am CDTUpdated on Aug 30, 2025, 9:38 am CDT

5 min read

Argentina's air traffic control dispute has been resolved. EANA, the state air navigation provider, and the controllers' union ATEPSA reached an agreement on August 27, lifting the previously signaled staggered stoppages that had been scheduled through August 30. Operations are returning to normal nationwide, although some flights may continue to experience schedule adjustments as airlines reposition aircraft and crews.

Key Points

Why it matters: The Argentina ATC strike is over, removing risk of rolling flight stoppages through August 30.
Travel impact: Flights are operating, with limited residual delays as airlines rebalance fleets and crews.
What's next: Monitor your booking for updated times while carriers complete recovery over August 30 to 31.
Union and provider say services will run normally after the deal.
Expect routine congestion at Buenos Aires hubs during peak banks.

Snapshot

After multiple day-of-week stoppages between August 22 and 26, EANA and ATEPSA announced an accord on August 27 that suspended remaining strike windows. The Human Capital Ministry also confirmed the agreement. Airports across the network, including Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), are operating normally. Travelers may still see lingering delays as aircraft and crews return to planned rotations. If you are connecting, build in extra time, especially at Buenos Aires where terminal transfers and peak-hour lines can add minutes to your journey. Most airlines are processing reaccommodation from prior disruptions through standard channels.

Background

ATEPSA had outlined a series of nationwide stoppages on August 22, 24, 26, 28, and 30, halting departures during specified windows and permitting only emergency operations. The actions produced widespread delays and cancellations, affecting domestic and international services. The government convened the parties for further talks on August 27, resulting in a salary framework that paused union actions and restored full service. EANA subsequently stated that air navigation services would operate with total normality at all Argentine airports. With the agreement in place, the previously signaled windows for August 28 and August 30 were lifted, clearing the way for schedule recovery at EZE, AEP, and regional gateways such as Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L. V. Taravella International Airport (COR).

Latest Developments

EANA, ATEPSA confirm normal operations nationwide

EANA reported on August 27 that an agreement with ATEPSA guarantees normal air navigation services across Argentina. Union communications the same day indicated that planned actions were suspended as a result of the accord. Local media and wire services echoed the announcement, noting that national and international services would normalize as airlines restored their timetables. While some carriers trimmed frequencies during the disruption period, no extended airspace restrictions were issued following the deal, and tower, approach, and en-route services are staffed as usual. Travelers should still expect typical peak-period congestion at EZE and AEP as flight banks rebuild and as displaced aircraft rotate back to base.

Guidance for residual delay clean-up through August 31

If you were rebooked during the stoppages, verify your latest itinerary in your airline's app, then re-download boarding passes to refresh barcodes. For connections at Buenos Aires, confirm airport and terminal because some itineraries toggle between AEP and EZE. Aim for generous connection times until August 31 while carriers finish crew and aircraft repositioning. If you misconnected during the strike period, keep receipts for meals and lodging provided by the airline to support after-travel claims. If your ticket includes separate point-to-point legs, contact the operating carrier for each segment. For tight morning departures at EZE and AEP, arrive earlier than usual, and consider carry-on only to avoid baggage queues while the system stabilizes.

Analysis

The stand-down caps a disruptive, but relatively brief, industrial action cycle that targeted short, high-leverage windows rather than open-ended shutdowns. That design limited outright cancellations while maximizing timetable uncertainty, especially at the Buenos Aires hubs. With the August 27 agreement in place, the operational priority is repositioning aircraft and re-aligning crews. Most recovery tasks should complete over one to two daily rotations, but knock-on effects can persist where long-haul equipment and flight duty limits intersect. Travelers connecting between Aeroparque Jorge Newbery and Ministro Pistarini International should be attentive to airport changes, since even a nominal retime can push a legal connection under minimums when a cross-town transfer is involved. The broader takeaway is that Argentina's aviation labor landscape remains fluid, so monitoring official channels before critical travel dates is prudent. For now, the Argentina ATC strike risk has eased materially, and near-term schedules should stabilize.

Final Thoughts

With the agreement finalized on August 27, Argentina's ATC services are back to normal, and the remaining August stoppages are off the calendar. As airlines finish re-balancing their networks, keep an eye on retimes, verify airport and terminal details in Buenos Aires, and leave extra room for connections through August 31. The resolution should restore confidence for upcoming domestic and regional trips, particularly for travelers passing through EZE and AEP. For now, the Argentina ATC strike appears resolved, with only light residual impacts expected.