As the strike looms on July 8th, the airline is desperately trying to ensure that its customers have safe flights home. But there’s a catch – not all flights will be able to take off due to the pilots’ strike. If the strike continues, more flights will be cancelled, with the airlines saying up to 50% of its flights will be affected.
Thousands of flights are canceled in Europe as pilots’ strikes take their toll, forcing airports to face hours-long queues. Despite its troubles, loss-making SAS says the strike is costing it between $10 million and $13 million per day. The airline has been negotiating with unions but it seems negotiations will be difficult and may not be successful. Ultimately, the airline hopes to save its schedules and attract travelers to its destination.
While the airline has announced a five-year deal with the unions over pay and working conditions, it’s unclear how long the strike will last. Some airlines are allowing passengers to travel on their own, while others have decided to impose a three-day suspension in order to avoid further disruption. While the strike has been affecting more flights, the strike has left many airports with long queues and a lack of services.
A settlement has been reached between the French unions and the airline’s pilots and ground staff. The agreement includes a commitment to high productivity and flexibility in seasonal capability, as well as the re-deployment of 450 laid-off pilots. Meanwhile, Air France’s Dutch arm, KLM, has reached a collective labor agreement with the unions. The deal includes a four percent wage increase for ground crew and a minimum monthly increase of 80 euros before tax.
The strike action is likely to affect more flights across Europe this summer, putting a damper on travel plans. As a result, thousands of travelers have missed their flights due to long queues at check-in and security desks. Some people have even queued for hours just to enter a terminal. And while the strike is expected to last until the end of the summer, it’s essential that passengers plan ahead to ensure they can travel at all.
