SANTIAGO (Reuters) -At least 173 flights have been canceled and 20,000 passengers affected after pilots for LATAM Airlines went on strike, the company said on Wednesday. 

The Santiago-based airline said that a solution has been provided to almost all the passengers affected. 

Due to the strike, which started at midnight after contract talks with the carrier fell through, the company said in a statement it had to cancel flights scheduled between November 12 and 17.