Argentine Government Suspects Political Sabotage Behind Airport Bomb Threats
Authorities are investigating whether anonymous calls that disrupted operations at Ezeiza and Aeroparque are linked to recent labor disputes in the aviation sector.
Wednesday night was disrupted at Argentina's main airports after two bomb threats put authorities on high alert, affecting normal operations during the peak winter holiday season. The incidents involved one Aerolíneas Argentinas flight and another from FlyBondi.
The threats, made through anonymous calls to the 911 emergency service, specifically targeted Aerolíneas Argentinas flight AR 1411, operating from Mendoza (MDZ) to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), and a service by low-cost carrier FlyBondi flying from Salta (SLA) to Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP).
As a result of the alert concerning flight AR 1411, Ezeiza Airport was closed for approximately 20 minutes. This forced at least one international flight to divert to Carrasco Airport (MVD) in Montevideo, Uruguay. Other aircraft had to enter holding patterns until the terminal reopened.
The Airport Security Police (PSA) immediately activated emergency protocols at both air terminals. The affected aircraft were moved to remote safety positions for thorough inspection by bomb disposal squads. Following the procedures, PSA sources confirmed that both threats were false alarms, as no suspicious devices were found.
Snippet: What Happens in Case of a Bomb Threat? When a threat is received, the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) and the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA) activate an emergency protocol. The PSA is immediately involved to isolate the aircraft, inspect it with specialized teams and equipment, and secure the perimeter until the danger is completely ruled out.
While air operations began to normalize after 10:00 PM, the focus has now shifted to the origin of the threats. Unofficial sources close to the Secretariat of Transport indicated that they are not ruling out a connection between the calls and recent labor disputes. "They come after the repeated failures of aviation unions to carry out their intended strikes," a source noted, suggesting the threats could be aimed at "disrupting operations, which are running very smoothly during the winter holidays."
Both ANAC and EANA have confirmed they will file the corresponding criminal complaints for the justice system to investigate the origin of the calls and determine responsibility for a crime that carries severe penalties and, in this case, caused a significant disruption to the air transport system during a high-demand period.
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