Aerolineas Argentina cancels 331 international and domestic flights leaving 35,000 passengers stranded as air travel union workers launch 24-hour strike over pay

At least 35,000 passengers are stranded across Argentina after airport workers demanding higher wages went on strike Wednesday.

The unionized walkout comes a week after Aerolineas Argentinas and Intercargo presented a 12 percent salary increase offer, which was rejected by the Aeronautical Personnel Association, the Airline Pilots Association and the Union of Senior and Professional Personnel of Aerocommercial Companies.

More than 50 of the airports in the country remained open but airlines had canceled hundreds of flights.

Passengers were spotted huddled around screens at airports where they learned of their flight cancellations while others were seen sleeping on the floor and resting on benches awaiting for travel to resume.

A security worker stands in front of the counters of the Aerolineas Argentinas airline at the Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Airport in Buenos Aires on Wednesday after air travel workers went on strike across the country. The work stoppage has stranded at least 35,000 passengers

A passenger sleeps on the floor at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina on Wednesday after flights were cancelled due to a 24-hour workers strike. Three unions representing workers rejected a 12 percent salary increase that was offered last week

Aerolineas Argentinas, which is operated by the Argentine government, had to cancel 331 flights on Wednesday. The carrier said the flight cancellations affected about 24,000 passengers. The company said it expected to lose about $2 million

Low-cost company Flybondi and American Airlines were the only carriers operating out of Ezeiza International Airport, Argentina's largest airport located outside Buenos Aires. 

Flybondi told Argentine news outlet TN that its flights were operating out of Ezeiza because its employed its own staff at the airport. 

State-owned Aerolineas Argentina cancelled 331 flights and advised customers to review their emails for updates and to contact travel agencies in the event they purchased their flights through them.

The airline said the strike is expected to impact nearly 24,000 of its passengers, with an economic impact estimated at $2 million.

LatAm, the largest carrier in Latina American also cancelled flights to and from Argentina on Wednesday and offered passengers the opportunity to to change their travel dates and flights at no cost for up to a year as long as the flight origin and destination do not change. 

Refunds were also being offered without any fees included.

Chilean low-cost JetSmart also canceled all of its flights on Wednesday, with  passengers asked to visit the airline's website to change their flights for free.

Travelers rest at Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Ezeiza, Argentina after a nationwide strike caused the cancellation of their flights 

Passengers at Ministro Pistarini International Airport look at the flight information screen on Wednesday

Travel to and from Argentina has been shut down for the most part on Wednesday following a air travel worker's 24-hour strike  across the country

Wednesday's union strike was the latest sign of civil unrest in Argentina. 

Union members blame the government for a breakdown in salary negotiations. 

The union conflict started last week when the Argentine government proposed a pay hike that was deemed insufficient by the three unions that bring together the staff of several airlines.

The strike comes as inflation in Argentina has skyrocketed in recent months, largely as a result of a 50 percent devaluation of the local currency implemented by the government of President Javier Milei and the elimination of subsidies for public transportation and services such as electricity.

Union representatives are seeking a pay increase that will help workers overcome inflation and reach an agreement that nets employees a salary hike of at least 70 percent.