Precautionary measures
The Spanish Airline Pilots Association, known as Sepla, is weighing a range of options aimed at safeguarding minimum services during the busy summer period across multiple airlines. The union has expressed dissatisfaction with how the current minimum service rules are applied, labeling them abusive and potentially disruptive to travel plans as disruptions continue in the aviation sector, including ongoing actions involving Air Nostrum and Air Europa. These developments were shared by Sepla Secretary General Javier Fernández-Picazo at a press conference held this Friday. He stressed that the proposed measures are still under consideration and have not yet been decided. He added that any decision would require careful evaluation and negotiation, with an eye toward uniting different groups within aviation, such as passenger cabin crew, air traffic controllers, and even road transport representatives.
Fernández-Picazo argued that imposing 90 percent minimum services tends to amplify conflicts and ultimately harms the traveler, who bears the impact of any disruption. He criticized airline manufacturers for not feeling sufficient pressure at the negotiating table and recalled that the National Court has issued numerous rulings urging the Administration to respect workers’ fundamental right to strike. The union currently represents members across eleven airlines, including Iberia, Iberia Express, Vueling, Ryanair, easyJet, Norwegian, Swiftair, Plus Ultra, Jet2, Eurowings, and Evelop, along with the organizations involved in the Air Nostrum and Air Europa matters.
Precautionary measures
In line with its strategy, Sepla has requested injunctive relief in the National Court to challenge what it sees as violations of the constitutional right to strike. The union highlights what it calls abusive minimum services in the Air Nostrum dispute and anticipates further mobilization in support of Air Europa this summer. Manuel Reyes, Sepla’s chief delegate at Air Nostrum, described the government’s toleration of the practice as inconceivable, arguing that it allows the company to shield itself behind these minimum services and avoid reaching a consensus.
The legal action, filed with the contentious chamber of the National Court, may be joined by Air Europa pilots starting in May, with new pauses planned from May 22. Earlier in the year, Air Nostrum pilots began an open-ended strike across all bases and business centers, with actions occurring on Mondays and Fridays as negotiations continued for a new collective agreement.
Carlos Sánchez, Sepla’s chief delegate at Air Europa, characterized the situation as a test of whether airline management will listen to worker demands on wages and labor conditions. If resistance persists, he suggested, pilot mobilization could intensify, potentially leading to additional strikes through the summer.
Sepla announced an eight-day strike on Air Europa starting May 8, with subsequent action planned on May 22, 23, 25, 26, 29 and 30, as well as June 1 and 2 at all bases and business centers in Spain. Earlier in the month there were strikes on May 1, 2, 4 and 5. These actions reflect ongoing tensions in labor relations within the aviation sector as collective bargaining continues across multiple carriers.
Manifestation
Unions representing air transport workers organized a demonstration in front of the Ministry of Transport last Friday to protest what they described to Europa Press as a harsh balance between minimum service obligations and flight cancellations. They reported that roughly 90 percent of minimum service translates to around 80 scheduled flights per day, with cancellations limited to about 18 to 20 flights. The call to action for this week was led by Sepla alongside the Workers’ Union, Sitcpla and Asetma, the association of aviation maintenance technicians.
The gathering underscored the broad coalition behind these demonstrations, emphasizing how the push for fair labor standards resonates across flight crews and maintenance workers alike, all seeking a more predictable and humane framework for negotiations and daily operations.