The airline Brussels Airlines announced on Monday that it would cancel even more flights in order to satisfy, in the short term, the demand of the unions to lighten the workload. Now, 675 flights will fall by the wayside during these two months of school holidays, while initially only 148 flights were to be canceled in July. Management adds that it is “commercially impossible” for her to make further deletions.
The cabin crew and the pilots denounce an excessive workload. They carried out a three-day strike, on June 23, 24 and 25. Last week, the unions threatened further action. It was therefore agreed that the staff representatives meet on Monday with CEO Peter Gerber to discuss the possibilities for this summer.
“Today, we clearly meet the demands of the unions. We hope in this way to definitively rule out any further action and give a real guarantee to our passengers.“, commented the management on Monday.
The amount of canceled flights in July and August corresponds to approximately 6% of Brussels Airlines’ flight schedule. The measures represent a shortfall of 10 million euros, an amount similar to the first estimate of the loss caused by the three-day strike. All travelers affected by such deletions have been informed and an alternative has been offered to them.
For the long term, management and unions must meet again on August 23. Working groups will be set up to constructively develop a balanced flight plan, adds management. Possible long-term changes require cooperation where everyone takes their share of responsibility, she insists.