Portugal Sets Minimum Flights for easyJet Crew Strikes
Portugal’s Directorate-General for Employment and Labor Relations (DGERT) has mandated minimum service levels for two upcoming waves of strikes by easyJet cabin crew, ensuring that essential routes to the islands and major European hubs remain operational during the industrial action.
Strike Dates and Impact
Cabin crew members, represented by the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC), are set to walk out from October 2 to 6 and again during the busy holiday period from December 19 to 23. The union approved the strike unanimously, citing roster instability, discriminatory compensation compared to pilots, and excessive pressure to work overtime.
An estimated 500 flights scheduled from easyJet’s bases in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro could be affected during the October work stoppage alone. To mitigate the chaos, the government has stepped in to define which flights must fly.
Guaranteed Services for October
For the five-day strike in early October, the following daily rotations have been secured:
- Island Connections: Two daily rotations between Lisbon and Funchal, and one daily rotation between Porto and Funchal. Specific rotations between Porto and Porto Santo are guaranteed for October 4 and 6.
- European Hubs: Three daily rotations connecting Lisbon, Porto, and Faro to Swiss cities (Geneva, Basel, and Zurich).
- French Destinations: Three daily rotations connecting Portuguese bases to Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, and Paris Orly.
- Capital Links: One daily rotation between Lisbon and London, and one daily rotation between Lisbon/Porto and Luxembourg.
Holiday Travel Protections for December
As the second strike wave hits just before Christmas, minimum services will be slightly adjusted to accommodate holiday demand:
- Increased Island Support: Daily rotations between Porto and Funchal will increase to two, alongside the existing two daily rotations from Lisbon to Funchal. One Lisbon-Porto Santo rotation is also guaranteed.
- African Routes: Two total rotations will be maintained between Portugal and Cape Verde (Praia and São Vicente).
- European Access: The schedule maintains consistent daily rotations to London, Luxembourg, Geneva, Basel, and various French cities, mirroring the October protections.
Why Are Crews Striking?
The labor dispute centers on what the SNPVAC describes as a deteriorating work environment. Union leaders have denounced a lack of “roster stability,” making it difficult for crew members to plan their lives. Furthermore, the union alleges that easyJet treats cabin crew unfairly compared to pilots regarding compensation packages and pressures staff to perform overtime to meet commercial targets.
Image: Pexels – Drinu Cutajar
