EasyJet Portugal cabin crew plan two strikes, risking 500 flight cancellations

Portugal-based EasyJet cabin crew, represented by the SNPVAC union, have announced two five-day strikes - the first from 2 October to 6 October and a second from 19 December to 23 December - over disputes about pay, unequal treatment and deteriorating working conditions. The action will hit flights departing from Lisbon, Porto and Faro, leading the airline to cancel roughly 500 services and potentially disrupting holiday travel for passengers departing from UK airports such as Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester.

EasyJet expressed disappointment, noted that crew wages are already above the Portuguese average, and said mediation with the labour authority DGERT is under way. About 188 employees have unanimously agreed to participate, claiming they are paid less than other EasyJet crews and are forced into overtime due to staffing shortages. The carrier plans to pre-emptively cancel flights to give customers time to rearrange travel plans. The strikes could be especially problematic during the festive period when airlines operate fuller schedules.