Lisbon, Oct. 7, 2026 (Lusa) - The easyJet cabin crew strike led to the cancellation of 370 flights over five days, according to Ricardo Penarroias, leader of the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC).
The union leader reported 100% participation by cabin crew at bases in Portugal, and «the cancellation of around 90% of scheduled flights», noting that «even before the strike began, 343 [flights] were cancelled immediately». Meanwhile, the airline «had to cancel a further 30 flights over the last five days», he emphasised, bringing the total to 370.
«We have, of course, had minimal services carried out», he added, pointing out that «the company operated all other flights over those five days in breach of regulations».
When contacted by Lusa, an official source at easyJet reaffirmed that «it had pre-emptively cancelled a series of flights in anticipation of the strike, to give passengers more time and predictability to reorganise their travel plans».
«During the strike period, easyJet had initially planned to operate 786 flights to and from Portugal,» the source said, adding that «following these precautionary adjustments to the schedule, the airline planned to operate 442 flights and expected to successfully operate 428».
On Tuesday, «easyJet had initially planned to operate 154 flights to and from Portugal», whilst «following these preventative adjustments to the timetable, the airline planned to operate 92 flights and successfully operated 88, having cancelled only two rotations, corresponding to four flights».
Regarding allegations of unlawful conduct, the airline emphasised that it operates «in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations during strike periods, including with regard to minimum service obligations» and «vehemently rejects any allegation that it has acted unlawfully or sought to circumvent the strike».
The strike was triggered by, amongst other demands, job security, pay rises based on length of service and the terms proposed during negotiations for the Company Agreement.
A second strike by easyJet cabin crew is scheduled for 19 December to 23 December.
ALN/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
