Lufthansa strike off, but more disruption looms in Europe
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Europe is set to be plunged into air transport chaos, despite the decision by Lufthansa pilots to return to work yesterday. The pilots’ four-day strike, which began yesterday morning and led to the cancellation of nearly 1,000 services, was called off after union leaders agreed to return to the negotiating table. According to a BBC report, the airline and pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit, reached an agreement after a two-hour long hearing at a court in Frankfurt.
The good news for travellers was tempered however, by the announcement that British Airways cabin crew voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over pay and conditions. The Unite union was reported saying that 80.7% of balloted members supported strike action. However Unite added that it would not be announcing any strike dates as it hoped to continue negotiations with BA.
Meanwhile industrial action by air traffic controllers in France is scheduled to begin today. Four days of strikes has forced the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) to cut the flight schedules of all airlines this week. While long-haul services will not be affected, 25% of short- and medium-haul flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle and 50% of services from Orly will be cancelled today and Wednesday. Thursday and Friday’s schedules will be announced tomorrow.
Europe’s ‘big three’ carriers have suffered from the threat of industrial action after attempting to make a series of cost cutting measures to help them weather the global economic crisis.
Comments are closed.