Argentina: National State Workers’ Strike Today Includes Air Traffic Controllers

October 15, 2026 — Argentina’s state workers’ union, ATE, is holding a 24-hour national strike today, Thursday, October 15. The union says the walkout includes air traffic controllers, civil aviation authority (ANAC) staff, immigration officers and sanitary inspectors at ports and customs, so travelers should be ready for delays at airports and border posts.

What is happening

Who: The Asociación de Trabajadores del Estado (ATE), which represents national public-sector workers. Provincial and municipal workers may join, and each province decides how far the action goes.
When: From 00:00 to 24:00 on Thursday, October 15.
Why: The union is demanding the repeal of Decree 70/2023 (DNU 70/23), the broad deregulation decree issued at the start of President Javier Milei’s government. Opposition lawmakers called a special session of the Chamber of Deputies for today to try to overturn it.
Air travel: According to the union, ANAC will guarantee only medical (health) and government flights. The union lists air traffic controllers among the workers taking part. No airline cancellations or airport-specific delays had been reported in the sources checked for this story (TBA).
Borders and ports: Immigration (Migraciones) staff and Senasa sanitary checks at ports and customs are listed as affected.
Ground transport: Staff at the transport regulator CNRT and traffic agents are part of the strike. Reports say the call alone does not stop buses, trains or the Buenos Aires subway (Subte), and no bus or subway strike had been announced.
Protests: ATE is gathering in front of the National Congress in Buenos Aires from 13:30, alongside the Federal University March. Similar marches are expected in other major cities.

What it means for airline travelers

If you are flying into or out of Ezeiza, Aeroparque or other Argentine airports today, check your flight status often and arrive early. Delays could build up and affect tonight’s departures and tomorrow’s flights.
Standby travel today carries extra risk: if flights are delayed or cancelled, rebooked passengers will fill the next available seats.
Expect slower immigration processing when you arrive or leave, and allow extra time for connections.
Avoid the area around Congress in central Buenos Aires from midday, and plan your route to the airport around the march.
US citizens can register with STEP and Canadians with Registration of Canadians Abroad to receive updates from their embassy.