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Argentina's Milei prepares to privatize state airline company by decree

Argentina's President Javier Milei means to sign a decree next week targeted at the privatization of flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas, stated governmental spokesperson Manuel Adorni.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Milei states the present structure of Argentina's biggest airline is puffed up and is costing the nation too much. His efforts to trim costs have actually triggered intense protests by unions.

KEY QUOTE

Given that its re-nationalization in 2008, state subsidies to cover the company's deficits have topped $8 billion, Adorni stated in a press conference on Friday.

CONTEXT

Financial expert and former media pundit Milei entered office in December swearing to take a chainsaw to the state budget plan, reverse a deep financial deficit and rein in triple-digit inflation.

His previous push to privatize the airline company was gotten rid of from the text of an omnibus expense passed this year by Congress.

BY THE NUMBERS

Adorni said Aerolineas presently uses 1,204 pilots to fly 81 planes, or almost 15 pilots per plane.

He had said previously in September that Aerolineas had actually cut its overall labor force by 1,500 employees in recent months.

WHAT'S NEXT

The decree could allow Aerolineas to take actions towards privatization such as employing banks or sounding out potential purchasers, a company source said.

Nevertheless, Congress might still bypass Milei's decree, as it has actually done several times in the past. Milei's libertarian party only has a little number of seats in the legislature, though he has won over allies from the main conservative bloc.

(source: Reuters)