The ongoing strike by easyJet pilots in Spain entered its second phase on Friday, marking three consecutive 72-hour work stoppages. By Saturday, eight flights were cancelled, all affecting Palma de Mallorca airport, according to Sepla, the Spanish Airline Pilots Association. The disruption underscores how a prolonged schedule of industrial action can ripple through international routes and affect travel plans far from the point of origin.
Local and international services were affected for a six-hour window from midnight to noon today, hitting routes connecting Palma with major European hubs. Cancellations hit flights to and from London, Basel, Berlin, and Cologne/Bonn. In addition to outright cancellations, some services experienced delays during the same period. Sepla noted that measuring the impact of the strike alongside other contributing factors proved challenging, as the disruption interacted with a range of routine operational issues that can influence flight schedules.
The union has stated that the follow-up phase of the strike amounts to complete adherence, with a stated commitment to maximum minimum-service levels agreed upon to ensure essential operations continue where possible. The current day’s eight cancellations add to the tally from the previous day, contributing to a broader pattern of disruption that has persisted since the strike was initially announced. In total, the number of cancelled flights attributed to this industrial action by Sepla across the period spanning August 12 to August 14 has reached sixty, reflecting a sustained challenge to airline operations at several key gateways. This situation illustrates how coordinated labor action by pilots can influence route networks, cabin crew schedules, and the broader European air travel market, while airlines work to mitigate the impact through contingency planning, alternative routings, and clear passenger communications. Airlines and regulators alike monitor the evolving schedule and consider adjustments to capacity, crew rostering, and service guarantees to minimize travel disruption while honoring the pilots’ industrial rights and safety commitments.