Foreign airlines have expressed their “concern” over Batakis’ statements and seek support for Lammens

The Chamber of airlines in Argentina (JURCA) said that the statement by Minister Silvina Batakis, who had stated that “the right to travel collides with job creation”, “raises concern”.

Filippo Baravalledirector of the chamber that brings together foreign airlines operating in the country, said that what was expressed by the new head of the Economy on the TN channel “raises some concernbut we are more confident in the statements of Minister (Matías) Lammens, who highlighted that the country had a turnover of $ 1,156 million from hospitality tourism, only between the months of From October to April“.

A report from the Ministry of Tourism, the ministry led by Lammens, indicated that between January and April of this year alone there were more than 1.4 million foreign touristswhich has already generated revenues in excess of US $ 915 million for the tourism sector.

Furthermore, within the analyzed period there was a growing trend: while the comparison with the same month of 2021 showed that in January there was an increase of winds% more than foreign tourists, the March comparison showed an increase year on year 72%.

“These data speak for themselves how much our business contributes and the income it bringsin addition to the number of jobs it generates, “added Baravalle.” We will remain vigilant and always ready to talk at any cost. “

The representatives of the airlines took detailed notes of what was said by Batakis, who charged heavily for the expenses of Argentine tourists abroad and stressed that these currencies “are being stolen from production”.

This Thursday afternoon there was a zoom between local representatives and the directors of the International Association of Airlines (IATA). From the IATA they are asking for both the application of the PAIS tax, in force since December 2019, and a forced withholding of 35% in the Irpef account. To this package is added the prohibition established by the Central Bank on the financing of air fares abroad.

On the contrary, in the last year there had been severe restrictions on the arrival of flights, when international tourism was still banned for health reasons. But due to the worsening of the pandemic, the return of Argentines and residents to the country was also limited in April last year: it was during the autumn and winter months, during which the health trap arrived to limit the arrival of external flights to no more than two or three per day.