The Government will advance with a broader deregulation of the aeronautical sector. Scope could exclusively access the draft decree that would be published in the next few days in the Official Gazette. A large part of the ANAC functions will be transferred to the Argentine Air Navigation Company (EANA), which in turn could be privatized. In the argument, the text ensures that the changes seek to “comply with international regulations”, but experts warn of risks in operational security. More layoffs are expected in the public administration and Even the granting of pilots’ licenses could be outsourced.
Javier Milei wants to reduce the State to its minimum expression. Both in its size and in its power to regulate different sectors of the economy. With that objective he appointed Federico Sturzenegger as Minister of Deregulation and Transformation of the State, a portfolio that has influence on different areas of the administration.
According to official sources to this media, one of the distributions where he concentrates Power is the Undersecretariat of Air Transport. From there it has been promoting a series of initiatives, such as The “open skies” policywhich already had a first stage of the deregulation of the aeronautical sector, but it will not be the last.
Two entrepreneurs in the sector without relation to each other confirmed to the scope that The government works on more regulatory changes for activity that could weaken the power of control of the State, which would pass to private hands. This medium accessed the draft of a decree that would be published in the next few days and will deepen the deregulator path.
Control privatization?
The draft of the decree that could access a large number of powers that the ANAC has today in Eana Sawhich “will plan and execute the organization of airspace, air traffic management and aeronautical information services.”
So far, the changes would imply a transfer of skills from one organism to another. Something practically bureaucratic or organizational. But months ago The Government decided to transform Eana into a corporation, an indication that the firm seeks to pass to private hands.
Beyond that first pattern, the text to which this medium had exclusive access contains an explicit recognition: “It is mandatory to achieve overlapping results in these companies until Effect the objective of privatizing different companies with federal government actions ”.
That is, in the medium term, it would not be a mere administrative transfer, but would imply weakening the control of the State in a scope as delicate as civil aviation.
Transfer of aeronautical functions and services
Some of the competences that will pass from Anac to Eana SA are the provision of services such as fire extinguishing and airport health. The text details that the goods, staff and budget will be transferred Related to these services within 180 days, extendable for the only time. Anac’s task on these points will be to control the services, but with limited resources.
There will also be changes in the provision of the aeronautical weather service. Always according to the draft in question, as of March 1, 2025, EANA must pay for aeronautical weather services provided by the SMN“Adjusted to effective costs and with reasonable profitability”, but as of June 1 may hire third parties for that service.
Restructuring will also bring changes in organism financing. EANA SA will receive the income of the rates from Fire Extinction and Airport Health Services and ANAC will continue to collect the operational security inspection.
Risks and more deregulation
The government’s argument is that the changes are to correct the deficiencies detected by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) In his last audits about Argentina. But sector sources warned that in these exams the main deficiencies were given by the scarcity of personnel.
This problem could be deepened with deregulation. But also Scope could corroborate that the government plans to say goodbye to hundreds of workers from Anac in the next few hours. “Operational security will be very affected, never an air navigation provider gave a fire or doctors service,” said an experience technician in the sector.
Business sources anticipated the scope that Javier Milei’s team has in folder other deregulations that are not contained in the decree and would be carried out later. Perhaps the most resonant is the thirdization of the granting of the licenses of the pilots, who would also remain in private hands: “They are looking for the return, because it is the most complicated issue of all,” says companies.
Source: Ambito
