Britons travelling to Spain could face major flight disruption this summer. More than a dozen airlines are considering strike action. Affected airlines could include Ryanair and easyJet.
The Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (Sepla) is planning a series of different strikes this summer.
Sepla currently has union representation in several popular airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Vueling, Jet2 and Norwegian.
Other impacted airlines include Air Nostrum, Air Europa, Iberia, Iberia Express, Swiftair, Plus Ultra, Eurowings and Evelop.
The union is unhappy that on current strike days called by Air Nostrum and Air Europa, 90 percent of flights will still run due to Spanish legislation.
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This means that out of about 80 flights scheduled to run, only around 18 to 20 flights were cancelled.
Spanish legislation requires a minimum amount of service even on strike days, which can lessen the impact of industrial action.
Sepla’s secretary general, Javier Fernandez-Picazo, explained that strikes were on the table at a press conference today.
The union is hoping to encourage other groups, such as cabin crew and air traffic controllers to join the strikes.
He said that the minimum service legislation meant that airlines felt no pressure to negotiate with staff.
Sepla has said that the rules are interfering with the “constitutional right to strike” for the workers.
Chief delegate of Sepla in Air Nostrum, Manuel Reyes, said it was “inconceivable” that the Government allows companies to “hide behind abusive minimum service”.
The union has warned that the pilots will not halt their action and said there would be more strikes this summer if an agreement wasn’t reached.
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Earlier this month, Sepla announced new action on May 22, 23, 25, 26,29 and 30 and June 1 and 2 at all air bases in Spain.
British tourists could be impacted by strike action as Spain is a leading destination for travellers from the UK.
Spanish airport staff have already warned that Britons may face chaotic queues at airports in the country this summer.
British tourists have to have their passport stamped and could face lengthy delays if there aren’t enough staff employed to do so.
Strike action in Spain is subject to minimum service so any impact might be minimised in the event of industrial action.
British tourists should be directly contacted by their airline if their flight is impacted by strike action.
The action could be called off if the union is able to reach an agreement with the airlines involved.
British tourists have already seen disruption this year due to strikes by air traffic control staff in France.
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