Europe

TAP Air Portugal Flight Crews Go On Strike

TAP Air Portugal flight crews are striking for increased wages and other benefits

WISCONSIN (CoinChapter.com) — TAP Air Portugal pilots and flight attendants are going on strike beginning Dec 8 and 9^, with more walkouts planned until the end of January unless salary demands are met.

Ricardo Penarroias, head of the SNPVAC union, said more strikes would be scheduled.

According to Mr. Penarroias, TAP airline executives cut wages due to the carrier’s Covid recovery plan. TAP CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener said everyone involved “are all sad” and hopes executives can meet with union officials to end disruptions.

TAP Air employees feel that a 25% pay cut executives put forward is too much, especially with Portugal’s inflation rate of 9.9%.

Portugal’s current inflation rate is 9.9%. Credit: Trading Economics

The union had warned TAP Air officials before a walkout, hoping that a last-minute agreement would be reached.

In addition, the union wants the company to revise current maternity and rest policies. TAP Air received a €3.2 billion bailout plan and is under economic strain from previous Covid lockdowns. The original plan by airline officials was to cut the fleet, 2,900 jobs, and reduce pay by 25%.

Ryanair Looks To Take Advantage

Irish airline Ryanair said they would “rescue” TAP Air passengers with sale-priced tickets to Brussels, Funchal, or London. Passengers connecting through Lisbon may now, at least, be able to fly to their destinations. TAP Air said they would allow passengers to reschedule bookings if they chose that option over Ryanair.

Strike Comes At A Terrible Time

TAP Air announced profits of €111 million a month ago versus a loss of €134.5 one year before. Operating revenue increased from €444 million to €1.1 billion one year ago. TAP Air is a state-owned airline and is currently under a restructuring program.

Miguel Albuquerque, president of the Regional Government of Madeira, said, “At a time when we need to have the national company operational, in high season, with a large influx of tourists and locals, the situation of cancellations is a disaster for the company.”

The carrier was established in 1945 and began flying with only one aircraft from Lisbon to Madrid. Today they serve 93 destinations with a fleet of 75 planes.