EU Airlines Go on Strikes: What Dates to Avoid for Boarding?

Weak working conditions and pay cuts are the main reasons behind the chaos caused in European airports, with unions that represent workers’ rights calling for strikes over the working conditions and violations of labour law, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

The most affected flag carriers are estimated to be the low-cost ones, as a considerable number of workers, listing last-minute cancellations and disorganisation of operations as pushing factors for the strike, are expected to walk out in the upcoming days.

Ryanair – the Irish-based low-cost airline, is expected to have fewer workers throughout both June and July. More specifically, in Spain, the cabin crew has warned of walking out from June 24 until July 2, with June 25 being a common day for the strike among all flag carriers across the EU, as Italian staff is planning a 24-hour strike on this date.

Workers at Ryanair’s branch in Portugal are also urging for better working conditions for the cabin crew, for which they warned of strikes held on June 24, 25, and 26. Moreover, trade unions in Belgium said they will act on Ryanair not respecting labour laws by walking out of their workplaces from June 24 to June 26.

Unions in France have also threatened action on June 25 and 26, joining their colleagues in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

atozserwisplus.com previously reported that Brussels’ airport was forced to order the cancellation of all outbound flights due to a strike of nearly 80,000 protestors, all seeking better working conditions.

“Due to the strike on Monday, June 20 and the lack of security personnel at G4S, there will be no passenger flights departing from Brussels Airport tomorrow to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.   We urge passengers not to go to the airport on Monday. Arrival flights will be maintained,” the statement from Brussels Airport’s social media reads.

EasyJet workers in Spain are striking in July for nine days, as the Union Sindical Obrera (USO) reveals, with the action dates being every other weekend (July 1 to 3, 15 to 17, and 29 to 31). This strike also aims at a 40 per cent increase in flight attendants’ basic salaries, representing 80 per cent of 450 crew at EasyJet in Spain.

Scandinavian Airlines could also see around 1,000 pilots from airlines based in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden go on a strike as they protest over wages and cost-cutting measures.

Although the workers are currently in talks with their employers to prevent the actions, Danish pilots could still go on strike from June 24. However, they may wait until June 29, when Swedish pilots will be able to join them.