EasyJet speaks out as strike forces more cancellations…
EasyJet has had to cancel 14 flights today after Amsterdam-based pilots announced last night they would strike for a fourth time.
The airline was taken by surprise by the strike, which started at 4am this morning and runs until noon.
The pilots, members of the VNV union, are striking over working conditions and pension regulation.
EasyJet has posted a statement on its website saying: "This is the fourth strike the VNV have announced and actioned, we have been given only a few hours’ notice which makes it impossible for us to arrange alternative flying arrangements.
"Whilst we try to minimise the impact of the strike on our customers, unfortunately we will have to cancel some of our flights. We very much regret this. We will communicate directly to the customers affected via SMS and email using the details provided at the time of booking.
"For your background, we have been working closely with the VNV to negotiate a collective labour agreement and are very keen to find a solution.
"Our latest offer represents a significant improvement compared to earlier proposals so it is disappointing that this unnecessary action will affect our passengers travelling through Amsterdam.
"We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the strike."
Earlier, EasyJet said it had ‘negotiated up until Sunday and the feedback was positive’. The airline added the strike was ‘an unnecessary escalation’.
The carrier expects to operate 80% of its scheduled flights during the strike, but passengers are advised to check the EasyJet and Schiphol airport information sites.
Meanwhile, EasyJet is not commenting on speculation about a possible £16-a-share offer, which, according to rumours in the City late last week, may have come from aircraft leasing company AerCap, private equity firms, or even EasyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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