Update – EasyJet pilots call off strike in France
EasyJet flights to and from France and Portugal were at risk of disruption by strike action today.
Pilots based in France were due to strike on the second of three days of action in pursuit of a pay claim, while ground-handling staff at Faro and Porto airports in Portugal also planned to strike.
French pilots union SNPL called out 250 members at easyJet bases in France – at Paris Roissy, Paris Orly, Lyon, Toulouse and Nice. The pilots struck on Wednesday and were due to do so again today (Friday) and on Sunday.
Reports in France suggested two-thirds of pilots at Roissy walked out on Wednesday and 30% of those at Orly.
EasyJet operated flights using pilots from other bases and French media reported it managed to maintain almost a full schedule on Wednesday.
In a statement ahead of today easyJet said: “We are confident all flights to and from France will operate as scheduled.” It warned of “a small risk there might be some late-notice disruption to flights”.
Company and union remain in negotiations, with the carrier saying it was “astonished at the strike threat while annual pay negotiations are still in progress”.
EasyJet employs almost 800 staff in France, where it carried more than 12 million passengers last year.
The carrier issued a similar statement acknowledging “potential industrial action by ground handling staff affecting flights to and from Faro and Oporto [Porto] on August 17”.
It recommended passengers departing from Porto check-in online where possible.