Next weeks Iberia strike to see 118 cancelled flights

 

The second of two on-day strikes called by Iberia Pilots, who are SEPLA Union members, will be held next Thursday - the 29th December.

The first of the scheduled strike dates took place last Sunday, but caused minimal disruption with passengers offered alternative transport.

However, Thursday's strike will cause a greater number of flights to be cancelled at 118, compared to the 91 cancellations seen at the weekend.

This number is made up by cancellations of 10% of long-haul flights, 38% of short-hauls and 43% of domestic flights that had been originally scheduled for the 29th.

Next week's action marks the 21st pilot strike in 35 years, and has been condemned by Iberia aswell as the wider airline industry - even a number of Unions - as being unnecessary.

Iberia Pilots are protesting over the airline's decision to create a new low-cost airline early in 2012 to compete with the likes of EasyJet and Ryanair and to offer a lin-in service to their long haul and transatlantic flights. Concerns are that this will lead the new airline to outsource pilots and other services and will endanger jobs.