HUNDREDS of flights have been cancelled and dozens of others rescheduled due to air travel workers in Argentina staging a 24-hour nationwide strike for better wages.

Most of the country’s more than 50 airports remained open on Wednesday, but airlines had to axe hundreds of flights. 

At Ezeiza international airport on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, only low-cost company Flybondi and American Airlines were able to operate.

State-owned Aerolineas Argentinas said in a statement that 331 flights had been affected by the strike called by the Association of Aeronautical Personnel, the Argentinian Association of Airline Pilots and the Union of Senior and Professional of Aero Commercial Companies.

The industrial action is expected to cost companies around $2 million (£1.5m), according to Aerolineas Argentinas.

Union members blame the government for a breakdown in salary negotiations. 

The three unions representing staff at several airlines have turned down a 12 per cent pay rise offered by the Argentinian government.

Inflation in Argentina has skyrocketed in recent months, largely as a result of a 50 per cent devaluation of the local currency by President Javier Milei’s government and its elimination of subsidies for public transport and services such as electricity.