Air Nostrum reported that all affected passengers were part of an indefinite strike called by the Spanish Airline Pilots Association, Sepla. The meeting organizer described the impact as 100 percent, and the session proceeded without any incidents.
Company management informed EFE that the carrier is operating 83 percent of its planned flights, in line with the minimum services agreed upon with authorities.
Sepla criticized the minimum-service threshold set by the Ministry of Transport and announced plans to pursue legal action, arguing that the policy constitutes abuse and disproportionately restricts workers’ right to strike. The union also argued that the load factors cited were unrealistic.
The union framed the indefinite strike as a signal that workers are dissatisfied with the company’s firm stance on resolving the crew’s legitimate labor demands, as stated in their communiqué.
Pilots carried out indefinite strikes across all bases and facilities in the last wave, which began in December and extended into January. From December 22 to January 3, an eight-day rotating schedule was observed, with strikes occurring on Mondays and Fridays due to stalled collective-bargaining talks over working conditions and salaries.
In tandem with the strike, the pilots demand fair working conditions and proper professional classification for technical staff, along with measures to cushion the erosion of purchasing power.
Air Nostrum reiterated an earlier offer presented to the pilot group during negotiations at SIMA Mediation Service in December. The proposal included a three-year plan featuring a 13 percent cumulative pay rise alongside a 3 percent yearly increase, contingent on the achievement of negotiated targets for future pilots, with a potential overall increase of sixteen percent for flight commanders and up to a 3 percent annual rise that could accumulate to thirteen percent overall. The company argues that these terms align with broader industry settlements and exceed the average terms found in many national agreements.
Air Nostrum notes that the proposed framework follows industry norms and surpasses typical national wage settlements, emphasizing that the adjusted compensation is designed to reflect both performance goals and the broader cost of living considerations faced by staff.