The Sepla pilots association announced on Tuesday its plan to begin formal procedures for a strike at Air Europa in May and June. The move comes after what Sepla characterizes as zero interest from the airline in resolving the ongoing labor dispute. The organization stressed that the strike is a measure of last resort, intended to compel Air Europa to engage seriously with pilots’ concerns about working conditions, compensation, and the overall management of productivity gains within the company.
Sepla said the planned action will affect all Air Europa bases and business centers, with dates still to be determined. The union indicated that it will coordinate with pilots across the network to ensure that the interruption is felt broadly, while also limiting disruption to passenger operations as much as possible. In its statement, Sepla underscored that the decision follows repeated attempts at mediation that did not yield a constructive response from the airline’s leadership.
Following the most recent outreach by the Interfederal Mediation and Arbitration Service, SIMA, Sepla criticized Air Europa executives for disregarding the concerns raised by the pilot group. The union argued that the airline has not taken steps that would address the underlying demands of the pilots, particularly in relation to restoring purchasing power and acknowledging the realities of post-pandemic costs that pilots continue to bear.
From Sepla’s perspective, Air Europa has tried to mask productivity challenges as salary adjustments, a tactic the union says transfers the burden onto pilots. According to the association, these measures could lead to significantly worse working and salary conditions in the near to mid-term. The pilots argue that meaningful concessions and transparent bargaining are necessary to maintain service quality and safety standards, and to ensure fair compensation in light of inflation and rising living costs.
The announcement also notes that the strike carries a high personal cost for the pilots involved, many of whom are still recovering from pandemic-related measures. Yet Sepla frames the potential work stoppage as the only viable response available to press the company toward serious negotiations. The union stresses that workers face real financial and professional strain if the airline continues to delay or sidestep meaningful dialogue.
In its call to Air Europa management, Sepla requested that the company refrain from pressuring pilots to support or participate in a strike, reiterating that Air Europa had previously claimed it would respect workers’ rights to engage in lawful industrial actions. Sepla emphasizes that any disruption should be managed with a clear understanding of the potential impact on passengers and service, and that safety and reliability must remain a priority throughout the process. The union also called for a transparent timetable and open lines of communication to facilitate a swift return to stable labor relations once an agreement is reached.