Europe’s summer travel chaos

Strikes and staff shortages are forcing airlines to cancel thousands of flights and causing hours-long queues at major airports, dashing hopes of a sizzling first summer after Covid lockdowns.

Here is a summary of some of the developments:

Labour Unrest

After sweeping job cuts and pay cuts when Covid-19 brought travel to a grinding halt, staff across the industry from pilots to baggage handlers are asking for big pay increases and better working conditions.

Norwegian Air (NAS.OL) earlier in June agreed a 3.7% pay rise for pilots among other benefits, in a sign of what other airlines may have to offer to avoid labour strife.

Heathrow

British Airways staff at London’s Heathrow airport have voted to strike after the airline failed to roll back a 10% pay cut imposed during the pandemic, with the strike likely to take place during the peak summer holiday period over the next two months.

Charles de Gaulle, Paris

Workers at France’s main airport went on strike on June 9 to demand a 300 euro ($313) per month increase and better working conditions, leading to the cancellation of 25% of flights. Further action is planned for July 2.

Ryanair (RYA.I)

Strikes by Ryanair cabin crew unions in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, France and Italy affected less than 2% of the 9,000 flights scheduled between Friday and Sunday, the Irish low-cost carrier said. Crews in Spain are set to strike again on June 30 and July 1-2.

Easyjet (EZJ.L)

Spain-based cabin crew at easyJet plan to go on strike for nine days in July, demanding a 40% increase in their basic salary which is much lower than in countries such as France and Germany, local union USO said.

Lufthansa (LHAG.DE)

A German union representing Lufthansa ground staff is demanding at least 350 euros per month more over 12 months to cushion the effects of soaring inflation, with first round of negotiations set to take place June 30.

The airline’s chief executive has apologised to employees and customers for the travel chaos, admitting the company had “made mistakes” when cutting costs to cope with pandemic-related losses.

SAS AB (SAS.ST)

The Scandinavian airline and its pilots agreed to extend by three days a deadline for wage talks, postponing the risk of a strike. Flights continued as normal on Wednesday, but up to 1,000 pilots in Denmark, Sweden and Norway - around 80% of those flying for SAS - plan to go on strike unless a deal is found before July 2.

Reduced summer schedules

lufthansa’s Swiss business has cut about 2% of its flights between August and October due to labour shortages, strikes and rising Covid-19 infections, becoming the latest example of airlines slashing capacity and adding to the thousands of cancellations the German carrier had announced for the summer.

Airports, including Gatwick and Schiphol, are also limiting the volume of passengers they will handle over the summer.