EasyJet Crew Strike in Portugal Cancels 443 Flights and Threatens December

A five-day strike by EasyJet cabin crew in Portugal led to the cancellation of 443 flights at the Lisbon, Porto, and Faro bases, representing nearly 80% of scheduled flights at those bases, according to the SNPVAC union which called the strike, dealing a heavy blow to flight schedules.

The airline said it expects to operate around 55% of its scheduled flights by relying on minimum required services and crew brought in from other European bases to compensate for striking staff, in an effort to minimize disruption to passengers as much as possible.

The union considers the use of crew from outside Portugal to be illegal, in a dispute that increases pressure on the company. Meanwhile, a second strike scheduled for December 19 to 23 threatens holiday season travel, indicating that the dispute could extend to the end of the year.

The strike comes at a sensitive time for the European aviation sector, as it coincides with fuel cost pressures and high seasonal demand, which could deepen the impact of cancellations on travelers and delay the recovery of travel traffic on European routes connected to regional destinations, especially during a season of high travel demand in Europe, making the repercussions of the strike broader than the Portuguese market.

What do these terms mean?

Minimum services: A limited number of flights the company is legally required to operate during a strike. Cabin crew: Staff who provide service inside the aircraft and do not fly it. Operating base: The airport where the company's aircraft and crew are based. Strike: An organized work stoppage carried out by employees to press for their demands.