EasyJet has cancelled 232 flights to and from Portugal due to a three-day strike by the country’s cabin crew. The strike, which has left many travellers scrambling to rearrange their plans, has particularly impacted those planning summer holidays in Portugal.
Passengers have been urged to check their flight status and consider alternative arrangements as the disruption is expected to last through August 17. The strike, organized by Portugal’s National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Staff (SNPVAC), began on August 15 and is expected to cause significant disruption for British holidaymakers through August 17.
Major disruptions for UK travellers
The impacted flights connect major UK airports such as Glasgow, Manchester, Bristol, London Gatwick, and Luton to significant locations in Portugal such as Lisbon, Porto, and Faro on the Algarve coast. EasyJet has scheduled 1,138 flights during the strike, but just 62% of them will go as planned.
To lessen the impact, EasyJet recommends that passengers use the airline’s online Flight Tracker to verify the status of their flights. Passengers affected by cancellations were advised in advance and given the option of rebooking or receiving a refund.
Underlying dispute and the union’s stance
The strike is over working conditions and wages for cabin crew members. SNPVAC has criticised EasyJet for rejecting prior suggestions to avoid industrial action and has sought more bonuses and better working conditions. The union raised concerns about extended working hours and staff shortages, which they believe have harmed working conditions.
Ricardo Penarroias, president of SNPVAC, expressed dissatisfaction with EasyJet’s response and urged the airline to develop measures to prevent such interruptions. The union urged the airline to adopt ‘common sense’ and meet the fair expectations of its employees rather than cancel flights.
EasyJet’s response
A representative for EasyJet expressed unhappiness with the walkout, calling it “unnecessary” and sad during a vital travel period. The representative highlighted that the airline’s top focus has been minimising passenger disruption by preemptively cancelling some flights, allowing affected customers to change their travel plans. Despite these efforts, the strike continues to be a major inconvenience.
As the strike proceeds, passengers are reminded to keep track of their flight status and plan for unexpected delays or cancellations. The situation is still fluid, with no immediate settlement in sight.
