A strike by Argentine air traffic controllers (ATC) in mid-October 2026 caused more than 100 domestic flight delays and disrupted an estimated 20,000 passengers across the country. While the immediate action has been resolved, the episode signals ongoing labour tension in the sector that travellers should keep in mind for the coming months.
What Happened
Controllers staged a work stoppage citing unresolved wage disputes with ANAC (Administración Nacional de Aviación Civil). The action principally affected domestic departures from Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP), Buenos Aires’ city airport used for internal flights to Mendoza, Bariloche, Salta, Ushuaia, Iguazú, and other domestic destinations, as well as services from Córdoba and Rosario.
Ezeiza International (EZE) international operations were minimally affected, though some long-haul connections were missed by passengers arriving on delayed domestic legs.
Passenger Rights
Under Argentine aeronautical law (Resolución 1532/98 and its updates), passengers whose domestic flights are cancelled or delayed by more than four hours due to causes within the carrier’s control are entitled to:
- Meal vouchers from two hours of delay
- Accommodation and transfers for delays requiring an overnight stay
- Full refund or rebooking at no cost for cancellations
A controller strike occupies a grey zone, technically a third-party cause, but Argentine courts have in some cases awarded compensation when carriers failed to provide adequate care. If you experienced delays during this period, contact your airline’s customer service with your booking details.
What to Expect Going Forward
Labour negotiations in Argentina’s aviation sector are ongoing, and brief work stoppages have occurred periodically over the past 18 months. If you are planning domestic travel, particularly for connections to Patagonia destinations before the summer trekking season opens, we recommend:
- Booking the earliest flight of the day where possible (less likely to absorb accumulated delays)
- Leaving buffer time between a domestic leg and an international onward connection
- Keeping the ANAC and your airline’s app notifications active
Our Argentina 1-week itinerary includes guidance on building in flexibility when travelling between Buenos Aires and Patagonia in peak season.