[Tango-L] Flying into Buenos Aires - Airfares

[Sergio Vandekier]

In early March lightning destroyed the main radar at the airport of Ezeiza.

This occurrence has been used by certain unions to pressure the government 
to increase their salaries.

The marked improvement of the Argentine economy (has grown about 8.5 - 9% 
for 4 years in a row) caused most unions to demand increases in their 
salaries (15 to 25%). The unions whose demands were met say that air traffic 
into B.A. is totally safe. The unions that are not satisfied claim that it 
is not.

This was compounded by an unprecedented congestion in air traffic to and 
from Argentina due to marked increase in tourism from abroad and national as 
well.

The government stated that air traffic is safe. Flights are controlled 
manually keeping aircrafts 10 minutes apart when necessary.   Replacement 
radars were sent from Spain and other smaller radars were rented as well.    
Manual control of air traffic is the standard in many parts of the world.

A couple of years ago I reviewed the incidence of aircraft accidents all 
over the world. Argentina (if i remember well) had 11 (counting private  and 
commercial planes) in 100 years; much less than most other parts of the 
world.  I remember that the worst record belonged to Russia's Aeroflot with 
big accidents almost every year and sometimes two per year.

In summary : the only result of all this problems so far has been some delay 
of flights.  I have noticed similar delays in the USA as well.

As to the cheaper air fare for me over the years has been with Aerolineas 
Argentinas.
I have paid between 450 dollars and 1000 dollars for round trip open for one 
year from New York or from Miami.

Regards, Sergio

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