easyJet passengers travelling between the UK and Portugal face disruption over the coming days as cabin crew begin a five-day strike at the airline’s Portuguese bases. Around 500 flights could potentially be affected, with dozens of UK services already impacted.
Crew members working for easyJet based in Portugal began a five-day strike today (October 2) in an escalating dispute over working conditions, rostering and pay.
Members of the Sindicato Nacional do Pessoal de Voo da Aviação Civil (SNPVAC), Portugal’s National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel, are taking industrial action from October 2-6. The move will affect the airline’s operations from its Portuguese bases at Lisbon, Porto and Faro.
The union estimates that around 500 scheduled flights could potentially be affected. Portuguese authorities have imposed minimum service requirements, and easyJet has also been working to reduce the impact on its operations.
UK easyJet flights affected
The industrial action is also affecting passengers travelling between Britain and Portugal.
The airline has said around 35 return flights between Portugal and the UK have been affected by the strike, and some cancellations have been made in advance, allowing affected passengers to rearrange their journeys.
Passengers travelling over the next five days are therefore being urged to check the status of their individual flight rather than assuming that all easyJet services to Portugal have been cancelled.
Why are easyJet cabin crew striking?
The dispute centres on what SNPVAC describes as a continuing deterioration in working conditions for easyJet cabin crew employed in Portugal.
The union highlighted instability in crew rosters, pressure on employees to work additional hours, and what it claims is unequal treatment between cabin crew and pilots in compensation under company agreements.
SNPVAC said ahead of the walkout that working conditions for easyJet cabin crew in Portugal had continued to deteriorate, despite the union repeatedly raising its concerns with the company.
The members unanimously backed the strike at an emergency general meeting, with 188 voting in favour of industrial action.
easyJet responds to strike
easyJet has said it is disappointed that the action by its cabin crew is going ahead and maintains that it has been willing to continue discussions with SNPVAC.
Talks entered a conciliation process mediated by Portugal’s Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT), but no agreement was reached before the strike.
The airline described the union’s current demands as “unworkable” and said its Portuguese cabin crew are already paid significantly above the national average.
Minimum easyJet flights must operate
Portuguese authorities have imposed minimum service requirements during the industrial action after easyJet and SNPVAC were unable to reach an agreement.
These protect a limited number of services, including flights connecting mainland Portugal with Madeira as well as selected international routes.
Importantly for UK passengers, the minimum service requirements include one daily return rotation between Lisbon and London during the October strike. However, this does not mean that every easyJet flight between the two cities will operate, while services between UK airports and Faro or Porto are not afforded the same protection.
Passengers should continue to check directly with easyJet for the latest information regarding their particular flight.
Another easyJet strike planned for Christmas
Today’s walkout may not be the end of the dispute.
SNPVAC has already announced a second five-day strike for easyJet cabin crew between December 19 and 23, potentially disrupting one of the year’s busiest travel periods.
The union has not yet put a firm figure on how many flights could be affected during the December action, but has warned that the number could be higher than in October because easyJet traditionally increases its flying programme to meet additional Christmas demand.
The Portuguese government has also included the December walkout in its minimum-service arrangements, citing the importance of Christmas travel and passengers returning home to visit family.
For now, passengers due to fly with the airline to or from Lisbon, Porto or Faro between October 2 and 6 should monitor their booking, the easyJet app and flight information closely for changes.
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