Travellers warned of holiday chaos in May, check if your upcoming flight will be affected

Holidaymakers on their way to Spain this May are being warned of significant disruptiondue to staff strikes. Pilots at the struggling airline Air Europa are walking out over an ongoing pay dispute on May 1, 2, 4 and 5. Union bosses have claimed that the airline has ‘zero interest’ in resolving the situation.

The industrial action will involve 340 pilots striking with disruption expected over the May bank holiday and also the King’s coronation. Delays and cancellations are anticipated during the strike period with many flights from Gatwick airport affected.

Air Europa strikes

The strikes are due to pay as well as other demands and show no sign of being resolved any time soon. The Spanish Air Line Pilots Association (SEPLA) stated, as per Reuters:

This measure responds to the tension and labour conflict generated by Air Europa management playing with workers' rights.

Giving in to these pressures from managers would have been irresponsible with the professional and personal future of the group of pilots.

Air Europa declined to comment on the ongoing dispute, but reports from the Europa Press news agency indicate that a leaked internal memo sent to staff described the strike as ‘irresponsible and selfish’, as per The Sun.

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Travel disruption

Whilst the strikes are likely to cause significant disruption there is some hope that Air Europa will find some way of putting on flights as the airline is required to provide minimum services in accordance with Spanish law.

That being said, ongoing strikes in the UK and France will further complicate the travel situation as Security guards at London’s Heathrow Airport have announced 8 new strike days across May 4, 5, 6, 9, 25, 26 and 27.

A Heathrow spokesperson said, as per Time Out.

We kept Heathrow running smoothly during the first ten days of Unite’s failed industrial action, and passengers can have confidence that we will do so again this time. We will not let Unite disrupt the flow of visitors to the UK during such an important period for the country.

Customers are advised to check all their flights before travel and allow extra time for passing through the airport. If striking staff cause your flight to be delayed or cancelled, the airline is usually obliged to help you and/or provide compensation.

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Sources used:

- The Sun 'New holiday warning for Brits heading to Spain that could cause summer holiday chaos'

- Reuters 'Pilots at Spain's Air Europa call four-day strike in early May'

- Time Out 'New Heathrow airport strikes have been announced for May, including over the coronation'