Europe is bracing for a tumultuous summer as low-cost airlines face a wave of strikes. Staff in Spain and France have announced walkouts, signaling a significant disruption in air travel. Trade unions representing Ryanair cabin crew across multiple countries, including Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, have called for strikes this coming weekend, while easyJet is also preparing for a nine-day strike in Spain next month.
The situation has escalated as Damien Mourgues, a representative from the SNPNC trade union at Ryanair in France, stated that the airline has been neglecting rest time laws and failing to provide adequate pay for cabin crew, many of whom are still receiving the minimum wage. This has led to calls for immediate action, with cabin crew planning to strike over the weekend.
Previously, a strike over the weekend of June 12 and 13 resulted in the cancellation of around 40 Ryanair flights in France, affecting nearly a quarter of the total flights scheduled. Moreover, easyJet is not exempt from this turmoil, as its operations in key Spanish airports like Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca are set to face disruptions due to impending strikes.
The urgency of this matter is underscored by the fact that Spanish easyJet cabin crew currently earn a base pay of just 950 euros per month, making them the lowest paid among the airline's European bases. With air travel rebounding following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, many airlines, including easyJet, are struggling to rehire sufficient staff after mass layoffs during the pandemic, leading to further flight cancellations.
As the European Transport Workers' Federation pointed out, passengers should not blame workers for the ongoing chaos at airports, which includes canceled flights, long queues, and lost luggage. The Federation warns that the aviation sector's challenges are likely to intensify throughout the summer as workers face increasing pressures.
This situation has prompted trade unions in Spain to urge Ryanair cabin crews to strike between June 24 and July 2, advocating for their fundamental labor rights and decent working conditions. Similar actions are planned by Ryanair staff in Portugal and Belgium, aiming to protest against poor working conditions.
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, has dismissed the strikes, asserting that the airline operates over two thousand flights daily and that most will continue to run smoothly despite any localized disruptions. In Italy, a 24-hour strike is scheduled for Saturday, with pilots and cabin crew demanding adherence to minimum wage standards set by national agreements.
As the summer progresses, the ongoing strikes and labor disputes in the European aviation sector could have far-reaching effects on travelers and the industry as a whole. With rising tensions between airline management and staff, the fight for fair wages and working conditions remains at the forefront of discussions as we move deeper into the travel season.
