EasyJet crew strike originated the cancellation of 370 flights

O union leader pointed out 100% membership of the base crew in Portugal, and “a cancellation of about 90% of planned flights”, recalling that “even before the strike began, 343 [flights] were immediately cancelled”. However, the carrier “had to cancel in the last five days plus 30 flights,” he said, indicating 370 cancelled flights.

“We have, of course, the minimum services that have been carried out,” he added, pointing out that “all other flights that have been made by the company over those five days have been illegal.”.

Contacted by Lusa, the official source of easyJet reaffirmed that “it preventively cancelled a set of flights in anticipation of the strike, in order to give passengers more time and predictability to reorganize their travel plans”.

“ During the strike period, easyJet had initially planned to operate 786 flights to and from Portugal,” he said, indicating that “after these preventive adjustments to programming, the company planned to operate 442 flights and plans to successfully carry out 428.”.

Only today, “easyJet had initially planned to operate 154 flights from and to Portugal”, and “after these preventive adjustments to the programming, the company planned to operate 92 flights and successfully carried out 88, having cancelled only two rotations, corresponding to four flights”.

On the allegations of illegal conduct, the carrier stressed that it operates “in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations during strike periods, including as regards minimum service obligations” and “he strongly rejects any claim that he has acted illegally or sought to circumvent the strike”.

At the origin of the strike are, among other demands, the stability of the scales, the remuneration progression according to antiquity and the proposed conditions in the negotiation of the Company Agreement.

A second strike by easyJet crew members is scheduled for December 19-23.