Canarian Weekly
22-02-2013, 13:20
THE strike by Iberia staff during a 15-day period, which started on Monday, will lead to more than 1,200 flights being cancelled.
The strike, in protest at the airline’s restructuring plans – which includes the loss of nearly 4,000 jobs – will also affect the tourism industry in theCanary Islands.
Among the 206 short-haul cancellations, there have been several domestic flights ruled out.
Iberiawas forced to cancel 415 of the 1,062 scheduled flights during the first week of strikes, which began on Monday and include today (Friday).
And the backlash takes in rival airlines Vueling, Air Nostrum, Iberia Express and AirBerlin, who have cancelled more than 800 flights between them because they cannot get sufficient ground-handling staff, provided by the Iberia Airport Services division.
The Ministry of Development has set a minimum service for the strike days, which will guarantee 100% of flights to the Canary Islands and 50% of services between Spanish and foreign cities.
But Rafael Gallego, President of the Spanish Federation of Travel Agents (CEAV), said: “TheCanary Islandsis the Spanish community most affected, despite the minimum services to protect every flight.
“That’s becauseIberiaprovides ground-handling staff for their own aircraft, and also for around 15 other airlines bringing tourists to the islands.”
Iberiaofficials have released a statement in which they have called for the unions to act responsibly by calling off the strikes, which “hurt customers”.
It is anticipated that the economic cost of the strike will cost the company more than The airline, which will lose up to three million euros daily, has launched a contingency plan for customers, with rates being eased to facilitate exchange tickets or refunds.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/iberias-walk-outs-causing-flight-turmoil/)
The strike, in protest at the airline’s restructuring plans – which includes the loss of nearly 4,000 jobs – will also affect the tourism industry in theCanary Islands.
Among the 206 short-haul cancellations, there have been several domestic flights ruled out.
Iberiawas forced to cancel 415 of the 1,062 scheduled flights during the first week of strikes, which began on Monday and include today (Friday).
And the backlash takes in rival airlines Vueling, Air Nostrum, Iberia Express and AirBerlin, who have cancelled more than 800 flights between them because they cannot get sufficient ground-handling staff, provided by the Iberia Airport Services division.
The Ministry of Development has set a minimum service for the strike days, which will guarantee 100% of flights to the Canary Islands and 50% of services between Spanish and foreign cities.
But Rafael Gallego, President of the Spanish Federation of Travel Agents (CEAV), said: “TheCanary Islandsis the Spanish community most affected, despite the minimum services to protect every flight.
“That’s becauseIberiaprovides ground-handling staff for their own aircraft, and also for around 15 other airlines bringing tourists to the islands.”
Iberiaofficials have released a statement in which they have called for the unions to act responsibly by calling off the strikes, which “hurt customers”.
It is anticipated that the economic cost of the strike will cost the company more than The airline, which will lose up to three million euros daily, has launched a contingency plan for customers, with rates being eased to facilitate exchange tickets or refunds.
More... (http://www.canarianweekly.com/iberias-walk-outs-causing-flight-turmoil/)