Perli
Dec 14, 11, 1:42 pm
Info on cancelled flights on the following link: http://megustavolar.iberia.com/
They update it regularly.
They update it regularly.
Iberia Airlines Iberia Plus - Iberia Pilots Strike Dec 2011 and onwards (this round)
View Full Version : Iberia Pilots Strike Dec 2011 and onwards (this round)
totti
Dec 16, 11, 1:40 pm
Info on cancelled flights on the following link: http://megustavolar.iberia.com/
They update it regularly.
Still no information on the 29.12.2011 flights. I called today and asked to be rebooked but they declined. I have to wait until it is clear that the flight is canceled before they will do anything. While I understand their rationality it is quite a pain not to know what will happen. :( I hope that my C class ticket will help to sort things out… :rolleyes:
They update it regularly.
Still no information on the 29.12.2011 flights. I called today and asked to be rebooked but they declined. I have to wait until it is clear that the flight is canceled before they will do anything. While I understand their rationality it is quite a pain not to know what will happen. :( I hope that my C class ticket will help to sort things out… :rolleyes:
dutch_122
Dec 16, 11, 5:01 pm
Dear Totti,
If help needed, let me know, will see what i can do.
I do have late shifts 26th till 29th of December Iberia & British Airways ticketing desk.
Most likely same rules as for this coming sunday.
Dutch_122
Still no information on the 29.12.2011 flights. I called today and asked to be rebooked but they declined. I have to wait until it is clear that the flight is canceled before they will do anything. While I understand their rationality it is quite a pain not to know what will happen. :( I hope that my C class ticket will help to sort things out… :rolleyes:
If help needed, let me know, will see what i can do.
I do have late shifts 26th till 29th of December Iberia & British Airways ticketing desk.
Most likely same rules as for this coming sunday.
Dutch_122
Still no information on the 29.12.2011 flights. I called today and asked to be rebooked but they declined. I have to wait until it is clear that the flight is canceled before they will do anything. While I understand their rationality it is quite a pain not to know what will happen. :( I hope that my C class ticket will help to sort things out… :rolleyes:
carol1942
Dec 19, 11, 6:15 pm
we are booked to fly mpls to chicago to madrid to seville on dec. 29, arriving in spain dec. 30. because of the dec. 29 iberia strike, we can book for dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31. due to schedules, would like to leave dec. 28, but that means we'll arrive in madrid dec. 29 and fly to seville from there. anyone know if we'll be able to get to seville from madrid on dec. 29? that flight is "air nostrum" which might be affiliated with iberia, but not sure how that works. (hmmm....assume that if we're on iberia dec. 28 and when it becomes midnight and we're flying over the atlantic that the pilot won't say (in spanish of course:"sorry, i'm on strike now"!)
Perli
Dec 20, 11, 2:50 am
we are booked to fly mpls to chicago to madrid to seville on dec. 29, arriving in spain dec. 30. because of the dec. 29 iberia strike, we can book for dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31. due to schedules, would like to leave dec. 28, but that means we'll arrive in madrid dec. 29 and fly to seville from there. anyone know if we'll be able to get to seville from madrid on dec. 29? that flight is "air nostrum" which might be affiliated with iberia, but not sure how that works. (hmmm....assume that if we're on iberia dec. 28 and when it becomes midnight and we're flying over the atlantic that the pilot won't say (in spanish of course:"sorry, i'm on strike now"!)
You should be fine with Air Nostrum as their flights are not affected by the strike.
You should be fine with Air Nostrum as their flights are not affected by the strike.
totti
Dec 20, 11, 2:54 am
Dear Totti,
If help needed, let me know, will see what i can do.
I do have late shifts 26th till 29th of December Iberia & British Airways ticketing desk.
Most likely same rules as for this coming sunday.
Dutch_122
Thanks for your kind offer. I will wait another two days or so but if I cannot get any new information I will happily get in touch with you.
What makes we wonder though is a sentence stated in the Q&A's on the IB website:Am I entitled to receive compensation?
We will comply with our passenger care obligations (e.g. provision of meals, hotel accommodation etc. as appropriate) under European regulation 261/04.
You are not entitled to additional compensation, as this incidence is considered to be an "exceptional circumstance" for which Iberia as an airline cannot be held responsible.
Why is this an exceptional circumstance in accordance with the EU regulation. It is a strike by IB pilots and if IB fails to settle the dispute with their own pilots it is clearly their problem. I am pretty sure that this argument is not correct.
Anyway, I am not keen to get a compensation anyway but would rather fly as booked or get rebooked to another airline on the same day.
If help needed, let me know, will see what i can do.
I do have late shifts 26th till 29th of December Iberia & British Airways ticketing desk.
Most likely same rules as for this coming sunday.
Dutch_122
Thanks for your kind offer. I will wait another two days or so but if I cannot get any new information I will happily get in touch with you.
What makes we wonder though is a sentence stated in the Q&A's on the IB website:Am I entitled to receive compensation?
We will comply with our passenger care obligations (e.g. provision of meals, hotel accommodation etc. as appropriate) under European regulation 261/04.
You are not entitled to additional compensation, as this incidence is considered to be an "exceptional circumstance" for which Iberia as an airline cannot be held responsible.
Why is this an exceptional circumstance in accordance with the EU regulation. It is a strike by IB pilots and if IB fails to settle the dispute with their own pilots it is clearly their problem. I am pretty sure that this argument is not correct.
Anyway, I am not keen to get a compensation anyway but would rather fly as booked or get rebooked to another airline on the same day.
Aikos
Dec 20, 11, 3:13 am
we are booked to fly mpls to chicago to madrid to seville on dec. 29, arriving in spain dec. 30. because of the dec. 29 iberia strike, we can book for dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31. due to schedules, would like to leave dec. 28, but that means we'll arrive in madrid dec. 29 and fly to seville from there. anyone know if we'll be able to get to seville from madrid on dec. 29? that flight is "air nostrum" which might be affiliated with iberia, but not sure how that works. (hmmm....assume that if we're on iberia dec. 28 and when it becomes midnight and we're flying over the atlantic that the pilot won't say (in spanish of course:"sorry, i'm on strike now"!)
As posted above, as long as it is an IB8XXX (Air Nostrum) you won’t have any problems.
If you have separate tickets and therefore the Air Nostrum domestic sector you originally have is not covered by the flexibility for date changes granted due to the strike, another option from Madrid to Seville is the AVE high-speed train.
IIRC it only takes 2.5 hours.
As posted above, as long as it is an IB8XXX (Air Nostrum) you won’t have any problems.
If you have separate tickets and therefore the Air Nostrum domestic sector you originally have is not covered by the flexibility for date changes granted due to the strike, another option from Madrid to Seville is the AVE high-speed train.
IIRC it only takes 2.5 hours.
Swanhunter
Dec 20, 11, 6:53 am
My original flight on the morning of the 29th from MAD to LHR has been cancelled. IB have automatically rebooked me on a flight 2 hours later and even got my seat assignment pretty much correct. Mildly impressed. ^
carol1942
Dec 20, 11, 7:01 am
thank you perli and aikos for the information. because of that, i was able to rebook for a day earlier with confidence that we can fly madrid to seville on dec. 29 with air nostrum. since this is our time with our daughter, son in law and grandchildren who live in seville, it's a precious time. hurray, we get to see them a day earlier.
ps- i'm a newbie to this site and still trying to figure out certain aspects, but it's a wonderful, helpful and friendly place.
ps- i'm a newbie to this site and still trying to figure out certain aspects, but it's a wonderful, helpful and friendly place.
totti
Dec 20, 11, 9:52 am
My original flight on the morning of the 29th from MAD to LHR has been cancelled. IB have automatically rebooked me on a flight 2 hours later and even got my seat assignment pretty much correct. Mildly impressed. ^
Good to hear that it worked for you. My original MAD-FRA flight is now officially canceled and they rebooked me to a flight 4 hours later :mad: As I "only" have an C class award ticket I had to call BA to sort things out and the only alternatives they seem to offer is rebooking to IB or BA metal flights. This will not help me much as I either have to fly a day earlier or arrive more than 4 hours later in the middle of the night.
What annoys me most is the marketing bla bla on the IB website. The mention that they have agreements with 27 other airlines and will do their best to rebook everyone but in the end they are actually unwilling to find the best possible solution for the customer which in my case would be either rebooking with LX or SN or a mix of IB and LA. I should probably mention that I only fly AGP-MAD-FRA which makes a 4 hours delay even more annoying.
Lets see what happens in the next days.
Good to hear that it worked for you. My original MAD-FRA flight is now officially canceled and they rebooked me to a flight 4 hours later :mad: As I "only" have an C class award ticket I had to call BA to sort things out and the only alternatives they seem to offer is rebooking to IB or BA metal flights. This will not help me much as I either have to fly a day earlier or arrive more than 4 hours later in the middle of the night.
What annoys me most is the marketing bla bla on the IB website. The mention that they have agreements with 27 other airlines and will do their best to rebook everyone but in the end they are actually unwilling to find the best possible solution for the customer which in my case would be either rebooking with LX or SN or a mix of IB and LA. I should probably mention that I only fly AGP-MAD-FRA which makes a 4 hours delay even more annoying.
Lets see what happens in the next days.
nvhber
Dec 23, 11, 2:26 am
This is my first post, but I have been lurking for a while ;). Would appreciate any advice!
I am booked on IB to fly TXL-MAD-EZE on 12/28, leaving TXL at 7:20a. My connecting flight IB 6845 was moved from 12 pm to 11:35 pm, meaning that I now have a 13 hour layover in MAD that I would like to avoid. The German IB phone line told me that all later TXL-MAD flights are full. They also refused to put me on the more comfortable BA flights via LHR.
Should I call again and insist or deal with the loooooooooong layover in MAD?
I am booked on IB to fly TXL-MAD-EZE on 12/28, leaving TXL at 7:20a. My connecting flight IB 6845 was moved from 12 pm to 11:35 pm, meaning that I now have a 13 hour layover in MAD that I would like to avoid. The German IB phone line told me that all later TXL-MAD flights are full. They also refused to put me on the more comfortable BA flights via LHR.
Should I call again and insist or deal with the loooooooooong layover in MAD?
nvhber
Dec 23, 11, 5:04 am
Calling again did the trick. This time the agent was more accomodating and put me on TXL-LHR-EZE on BA. So I guess insisting and knowing your options does work out!
dutch_122
Dec 24, 11, 2:13 am
Calling again did the trick. This time the agent was more accomodating and put me on TXL-LHR-EZE on BA. So I guess insisting and knowing your options does work out!
Good to hear they rebooked you on those flights.
If people need some help let me know, maybe i'm able to help.
dutch_122
Good to hear they rebooked you on those flights.
If people need some help let me know, maybe i'm able to help.
dutch_122
haricharan
Dec 26, 11, 2:20 pm
i'm ticketed on dec 29 ord-mad (aa flight number) then connecting to lhr (ba flightnumber)..all operated by iberia...website says not cancelled...wonder if i should be asked to be switched to a direct ord-lhr or take my chances on the ord-mad.
Andy49
Dec 29, 11, 11:49 am
Pilots strike on 9th & 11th January too
http://megustavolar.iberia.com/2011/12/nueva-convocatoria-de-huelga-del-sindicato-de-pilotos-sepla-9-y-11-de-enero-new-sepla-pilots%E2%80%99-union-strike-called-for-january-9th-and-11th/
http://megustavolar.iberia.com/2011/12/nueva-convocatoria-de-huelga-del-sindicato-de-pilotos-sepla-9-y-11-de-enero-new-sepla-pilots%E2%80%99-union-strike-called-for-january-9th-and-11th/
shadesofgrey1x
Jan 2, 12, 1:10 pm
Anyone seen any cancellations yet or gotten
Reroute? I have ams-mad-Mia onthe9th with less
Than a week to go and have heard nothing.
Reroute? I have ams-mad-Mia onthe9th with less
Than a week to go and have heard nothing.
Andy49
Jan 3, 12, 9:23 am
Anyone seen any cancellations yet or gotten
Reroute? I have ams-mad-Mia onthe9th with less
Than a week to go and have heard nothing.
The list of cancelled short and medium haul flights will be available this evening or tomorrow.
Reroute? I have ams-mad-Mia onthe9th with less
Than a week to go and have heard nothing.
The list of cancelled short and medium haul flights will be available this evening or tomorrow.
Andy49
Jan 4, 12, 8:16 am
List now available http://megustavolar.iberia.com/2012/01/listado-de-vuelos-de-corto-y-medio-radio-cancelados-con-motivo-de-la-huelga-del-sepla-los-dias-9-y-11-de-enero-list-of-medium-and-short-haul-flights-canceled-due-to-the-sepla-pilot%E2%80%99s-strike/#ingles
Andy49
Jan 13, 12, 1:51 pm
And another 3 strike dates announced
KIXJNB
Jan 13, 12, 5:49 pm
And another 3 strike dates announced
Which are?
Which are?
andreadbc
Jan 13, 12, 5:54 pm
January 25th, 27th and 30th.
facebook link (https://www.facebook.com/notes/iberia-l%C3%ADneas-a%C3%A9reas/nueva-convocatoria-de-huelga-del-sindicato-de-pilotos-sepla-25-27-y-30-de-enero/358525947495727)
Blog post including list of cancelled flights (http://megustavolar.iberia.com/2012/01/listado-de-vuelos-afectados-por-la-huelga-convocada-por-sepla-los-proximos-25-27-y-30-de-enero/)
facebook link (https://www.facebook.com/notes/iberia-l%C3%ADneas-a%C3%A9reas/nueva-convocatoria-de-huelga-del-sindicato-de-pilotos-sepla-25-27-y-30-de-enero/358525947495727)
Blog post including list of cancelled flights (http://megustavolar.iberia.com/2012/01/listado-de-vuelos-afectados-por-la-huelga-convocada-por-sepla-los-proximos-25-27-y-30-de-enero/)
Hannibal Lecter
Feb 2, 12, 5:14 am
More strikes
February
3., 17., 20., 24., 29
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_33567.shtml
February
3., 17., 20., 24., 29
http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_33567.shtml
andreadbc
Feb 9, 12, 7:48 am
Strike dates are February 13, 17, 20, 24 and 29 (https://www.facebook.com/notes/iberia-l%C3%ADneas-a%C3%A9reas/pr%C3%B3ximos-paros-13-17-20-24-y-29-de-febrero-trabajaremos-para-minimizar-su-impact/372236152791373) (probably the other article got the 3 confused with the 13th)
Cancelled flights on Feb 13th (http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Vuelos%20cancelados%2012,%2013%20y%2014%20febrero. pdf) (a couple of flights on the 12th and 14th as well)
Cancelled flights on Feb 16-20th (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/vuelos-cancelados-por-la-huelga-del-sepla-17-20-febrero) (mostly on the 17th and 20th)
Cancelled flights on Feb 13th (http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Vuelos%20cancelados%2012,%2013%20y%2014%20febrero. pdf) (a couple of flights on the 12th and 14th as well)
Cancelled flights on Feb 16-20th (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/vuelos-cancelados-por-la-huelga-del-sepla-17-20-febrero) (mostly on the 17th and 20th)
dutch_122
Feb 9, 12, 10:35 pm
Strike dates are February 13, 17, 20, 24 and 29 (https://www.facebook.com/notes/iberia-l%C3%ADneas-a%C3%A9reas/pr%C3%B3ximos-paros-13-17-20-24-y-29-de-febrero-trabajaremos-para-minimizar-su-impact/372236152791373) (probably the other article got the 3 confused with the 13th)
Cancelled flights on Feb 13th (http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Vuelos%20cancelados%2012,%2013%20y%2014%20febrero. pdf) (a couple of flights on the 12th and 14th as well)
If help needed, send me pm or email. Will see what I can do.
:D
Cancelled flights on Feb 13th (http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Vuelos%20cancelados%2012,%2013%20y%2014%20febrero. pdf) (a couple of flights on the 12th and 14th as well)
If help needed, send me pm or email. Will see what I can do.
:D
tom911
Feb 9, 12, 11:46 pm
I have MAD-LIS on Feb 24. I'm guessing with the frequency of flights on that route I'll hopefully be able to get there still. I could rearrange hotels and go over on the 23rd if I need to, but that would not be my preference. Have prepaid hotel in Lisbon that I can't cancel so I'd still like to get there. The hotels I have in Madrid prior are on award nights so have some flexibility there.
If I know by the 20th I can change everything before leaving the U.S.
If I know by the 20th I can change everything before leaving the U.S.
KIXJNB
Feb 14, 12, 1:40 am
How well does Iberia actually manage to stick to the adjusted schedules on strike days? In the past days/weeks/months, does anyone know if there have been additional spontaneous cancellations?
tom911
Feb 15, 12, 1:57 am
My Feb 24 MAD-LIS is still on the schedule. Only two flights on that route cancelled on my travel day and neither is mine. The list for that date was just released by Iberia:
Feb 24 flights cancelled (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/cancelled-flights-24feb)
Feb 24 flights cancelled (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/cancelled-flights-24feb)
dutch_122
Feb 15, 12, 10:55 am
My Feb 24 MAD-LIS is still on the schedule. Only two flights on that route cancelled on my travel day and neither is mine. The list for that date was just released by Iberia:
Feb 24 flights cancelled (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/cancelled-flights-24feb)
Tom911
good to hear your flight is still operating and not cancelled.
dutch_122
Feb 24 flights cancelled (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/cancelled-flights-24feb)
Tom911
good to hear your flight is still operating and not cancelled.
dutch_122
Hannibal Lecter
Feb 15, 12, 2:28 pm
Pilots will intensify strikes in March :td:
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-intensificaran-en-marzo-la-huelga-en-iberia-199152.html
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-intensificaran-en-marzo-la-huelga-en-iberia-199152.html
andreadbc
Feb 17, 12, 7:19 am
Cancelled flights on February 29th (http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/vuelos-cancelados-por-la-huelga-del-sepla29-de-febrero)
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 2, 12, 12:30 pm
another 24 strike dates announced today
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
andreadbc
Mar 2, 12, 1:18 pm
OK. They got me, I'm flying on April 30th. Here's to hoping things won't go too badly.
chongcao
Mar 3, 12, 11:04 am
Escaped! Flying IB on 12th and 19th April!
mkt
Mar 3, 12, 11:31 pm
Crap!... flying a redeye on the 3rd, landing the 4th. I assume I'll be affected when I land. I'm safe for the return though.
kevy_boy
Mar 4, 12, 10:16 am
another 24 strike dates announced today
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
Have the affected flights been announced yet?
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
Have the affected flights been announced yet?
amarcia
Mar 5, 12, 5:37 pm
I expect to fly Iberia in April. It will be my first Iberia flight so I have begun to watch the strike dates and the general strike information. I don't understand what the Iberia pilots expect to gain from their ongoing strike as the management has clearly stated that Iberia Express is a reality. I live in Dallas and am watching the unfortunate AA bankruptcy and the related loss of jobs. Can the Iberia pilot strike go on forever? Can't (or won't) the government step in (beyond the minimum number of flights)? Is there some kind of European strike mentality that just likes to strike with no expectation of a logical objective?
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 7, 12, 11:23 am
Iberia sues Sepla Pilots Union for illegal, abusive strike
Also suing the STAVLA union representing less than one-third of cabin staff, for the same reasons.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=8b5afcf20c8e5310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
Also suing the STAVLA union representing less than one-third of cabin staff, for the same reasons.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=8b5afcf20c8e5310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
gnargel
Mar 7, 12, 12:53 pm
another 24 strike dates announced today
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
Wow, I normally fly Air France/KLM or BA and they also strike every now and then, but this is insane. Looks like a suicide mission.
My outbund flight is on May 11 to South America and inbound on May 28. Must fly on those dates. Suppose I can only rebook a day prior to departure or something like that., if necessary.
March: 16, 19, 23, 25, 26 y 30
April: 2, 4, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 y 30
May: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 y 28
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-pilotos-de-iberia-haran-huelga-9-dias-por-mes-en-abril-y-mayo-215344.html
Wow, I normally fly Air France/KLM or BA and they also strike every now and then, but this is insane. Looks like a suicide mission.
My outbund flight is on May 11 to South America and inbound on May 28. Must fly on those dates. Suppose I can only rebook a day prior to departure or something like that., if necessary.
tom911
Mar 7, 12, 1:13 pm
Don't assume your flight will be cancelled as mine was not. They'll publish the list of impacted flights 10-14 days out. If you subscribe to iberia on Twitter that's one of the first places they post the list of flights not going out.
gnargel
Mar 7, 12, 2:38 pm
Don't assume your flight will be cancelled as mine was not. They'll publish the list of impacted flights 10-14 days out. If you subscribe to iberia on Twitter that's one of the first places they post the list of flights not going out.
Thank you, that's reassuring.
Sort of assume that the flight to South America will be fine, but that the flight from ams to mad is likely to get cancelled (if there actually is a strike). Would rather cancel and book with another airline now. Rebooking 10 - 14 days out would be costly. Arriving late in South America would be rather disastrous...
Thank you, that's reassuring.
Sort of assume that the flight to South America will be fine, but that the flight from ams to mad is likely to get cancelled (if there actually is a strike). Would rather cancel and book with another airline now. Rebooking 10 - 14 days out would be costly. Arriving late in South America would be rather disastrous...
tom911
Mar 7, 12, 3:09 pm
You can look at the cancellations for then next week or two and get a feel for the quantity of flights being struck and the routes. I did that with my MAD-LIS and saw that most of the flights on that route were going out with strike action against two flights during commute times (I flew at noon) which gave me some confidence that I'd get there sometime that day (had prepaid hotels in place).
Your biggest challenge now could be cancellation fees if your flight has not been cancelled by the carrier. Not sure how you're going to work around that if your flight is still on the schedule.
Your biggest challenge now could be cancellation fees if your flight has not been cancelled by the carrier. Not sure how you're going to work around that if your flight is still on the schedule.
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 8, 12, 4:16 am
Thank you, that's reassuring.
Sort of assume that the flight to South America will be fine, but that the flight from ams to mad is likely to get cancelled (if there actually is a strike). Would rather cancel and book with another airline now. Rebooking 10 - 14 days out would be costly. Arriving late in South America would be rather disastrous...
During previous strikes it said on Iberia.com that they'd either give you a refund, change the reservation or re-book you with another airline which they co-operate with.
What the latter promise is worth I have no idea about, does anyone have experience of that?
They could of course re-book you with BA via LHR, and if it's only
the AMS-MAD route they could re-book you with Vueling.
Regardless, airline workers cannot stage a total shutdown because Spanish law requires them to maintain minimum service levels,
which the Ministry of Public Works decides about, typically not more than 50%of short-haul and 25% of long-haul flights have been canceled.
The strikes won't affect:
Iberia flights operated by Vueling,
Iberia flights operated by Air Nostrum
Iberia flights operated by Iberia Express (supposed to take off March 25th)
Sort of assume that the flight to South America will be fine, but that the flight from ams to mad is likely to get cancelled (if there actually is a strike). Would rather cancel and book with another airline now. Rebooking 10 - 14 days out would be costly. Arriving late in South America would be rather disastrous...
During previous strikes it said on Iberia.com that they'd either give you a refund, change the reservation or re-book you with another airline which they co-operate with.
What the latter promise is worth I have no idea about, does anyone have experience of that?
They could of course re-book you with BA via LHR, and if it's only
the AMS-MAD route they could re-book you with Vueling.
Regardless, airline workers cannot stage a total shutdown because Spanish law requires them to maintain minimum service levels,
which the Ministry of Public Works decides about, typically not more than 50%of short-haul and 25% of long-haul flights have been canceled.
The strikes won't affect:
Iberia flights operated by Vueling,
Iberia flights operated by Air Nostrum
Iberia flights operated by Iberia Express (supposed to take off March 25th)
gnargel
Mar 8, 12, 8:40 am
During previous strikes it said on Iberia.com that they'd either give you a refund, change the reservation or re-book you with another airline which they co-operate with.
What the latter promise is worth I have no idea about, does anyone have experience of that?
They could of course re-book you with BA via LHR, and if it's only
the AMS-MAD route they could re-book you with Vueling.
Regardless, airline workers cannot stage a total shutdown because Spanish law requires them to maintain minimum service levels,
which the Ministry of Public Works decides about, typically not more than 50%of short-haul and 25% of long-haul flights have been canceled.
The strikes won't affect:
Iberia flights operated by Vueling,
Iberia flights operated by Air Nostrum
Iberia flights operated by Iberia Express (supposed to take off March 25th)
Flying to Lima, so there are alternatives. Lan or AA. Those options are just not very convenient. Kind of annoying that Iberia can hold me hostage till May 11 minus two weeks.
I can book convenient flights now (air europe) for the same price as the iberia flights. That won't be the case two weeks before departure.
What the latter promise is worth I have no idea about, does anyone have experience of that?
They could of course re-book you with BA via LHR, and if it's only
the AMS-MAD route they could re-book you with Vueling.
Regardless, airline workers cannot stage a total shutdown because Spanish law requires them to maintain minimum service levels,
which the Ministry of Public Works decides about, typically not more than 50%of short-haul and 25% of long-haul flights have been canceled.
The strikes won't affect:
Iberia flights operated by Vueling,
Iberia flights operated by Air Nostrum
Iberia flights operated by Iberia Express (supposed to take off March 25th)
Flying to Lima, so there are alternatives. Lan or AA. Those options are just not very convenient. Kind of annoying that Iberia can hold me hostage till May 11 minus two weeks.
I can book convenient flights now (air europe) for the same price as the iberia flights. That won't be the case two weeks before departure.
mkt
Mar 8, 12, 8:20 pm
That's what I'm hoping. I looked at the list of previous cancelled flights due to strike action, and none of the SJU-MAD/MAD-SJU/SDQ-MAD/MAD-SDQ flights were affected.
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 9, 12, 3:13 am
In addition there's a good chance that there'll be a general strike March 29
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3807339/03/12/CCOO-y-UGT-analizan-la-convocatoria-de-huelga-general-para-el-29-de-marzo.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3807339/03/12/CCOO-y-UGT-analizan-la-convocatoria-de-huelga-general-para-el-29-de-marzo.html
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 9, 12, 5:20 am
General strike March 29 confirmed
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3808072/03/12/CCOO-aprueba-por-unanimidad-convocar-la-huelga-general-el-29-de-marzo.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3808072/03/12/CCOO-aprueba-por-unanimidad-convocar-la-huelga-general-el-29-de-marzo.html
jlc201
Mar 12, 12, 8:48 am
Iberia announced the cancellations for March 16 and March 19, other dates still pending:
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca?ib_conte ntId=228d92edbf506310VgnVCM1000005ffe15acRCRD
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca?ib_conte ntId=228d92edbf506310VgnVCM1000005ffe15acRCRD
jlc201
Mar 12, 12, 2:50 pm
And now Iberia's twitter message has posted the following:
"All indications are that the pilots' unions SEPLA and STAVLA are going to call off the strikes [van a desconvocar las huelgas] planned for the next three months
Great news for everyone. We will do our utmost to reschedule any cancelled flights, and will keep everyone informed here on
and all our usual communications channels. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult days, and best regards"
I sure hope they are right. No indication whether the flights cancelled on March 16 and 19 will be reinstated once the strike is officially called off.
"All indications are that the pilots' unions SEPLA and STAVLA are going to call off the strikes [van a desconvocar las huelgas] planned for the next three months
Great news for everyone. We will do our utmost to reschedule any cancelled flights, and will keep everyone informed here on
and all our usual communications channels. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult days, and best regards"
I sure hope they are right. No indication whether the flights cancelled on March 16 and 19 will be reinstated once the strike is officially called off.
jlc201
Mar 12, 12, 2:55 pm
Correction: The Spanish feed says "intentaremos reprogramar los vuelos cancelados" which sounds like they are planning to at least try to reinstate the cancelled flights once the strike is over.
gnargel
Mar 12, 12, 3:39 pm
And now Iberia's twitter message has posted the following:
"All indications are that the pilots' unions SEPLA and STAVLA are going to call off the strikes [van a desconvocar las huelgas] planned for the next three months
Great news for everyone. We will do our utmost to reschedule any cancelled flights, and will keep everyone informed here on
and all our usual communications channels. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult days, and best regards"
I sure hope they are right. No indication whether the flights cancelled on March 16 and 19 will be reinstated once the strike is officially called off.
^!!!!
Why would Iberia tweet something if they are not 100% sure it's true?
"All indications are that the pilots' unions SEPLA and STAVLA are going to call off the strikes [van a desconvocar las huelgas] planned for the next three months
Great news for everyone. We will do our utmost to reschedule any cancelled flights, and will keep everyone informed here on
and all our usual communications channels. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult days, and best regards"
I sure hope they are right. No indication whether the flights cancelled on March 16 and 19 will be reinstated once the strike is officially called off.
^!!!!
Why would Iberia tweet something if they are not 100% sure it's true?
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 12, 12, 4:00 pm
Yes the strike is off, at least for the moment, the union has reached an agreement with IB to appoint a mediator.
http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/3815676/03/12/El-Sepla-desconvoca-la-huelga-tras-llegar-a-un-acuerdo-con-Iberia.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/empresas-finanzas/noticias/3815676/03/12/El-Sepla-desconvoca-la-huelga-tras-llegar-a-un-acuerdo-con-Iberia.html
jlc201
Mar 13, 12, 9:17 am
Iberia confirms pilots' strike is called off, previously cancelled flights are to be restored and the passengers who were rescheduled from cancelled flights will be returned to their original itinerary.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca?ib_conte ntId=2c237b5df5906310VgnVCM1000005ffe15acRCRD
Now let's see what we can do about that General Strike called for March 29...
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca?ib_conte ntId=2c237b5df5906310VgnVCM1000005ffe15acRCRD
Now let's see what we can do about that General Strike called for March 29...
Hannibal Lecter
Mar 26, 12, 5:51 am
negotiations failed, more strikes likely...
Justo Peral from the Sepla pilots’ union has declared that there'll for sure be more strikes it's just a matter of deciding when and how.
(strike dates are supposed to be decided on the 27th and 29th)
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3849002/03/12/Iberia-y-el-Sepla-no-alcanzan-un-acuerdo-con-la-mediacion-de-Pimentel.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3848843/03/12/Economia-Empresas-Los-pilotos-de-Iberia-podrian-convocar-nuevos-paros-en-dos-nuevas-asambleas-esta-misma-semana.html
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/sepla-%e2%80%9cla-huelga-es-segura-porque-iberia-ha-boicoteado-la-mediacion%e2%80%9d-229606.html
Justo Peral from the Sepla pilots’ union has declared that there'll for sure be more strikes it's just a matter of deciding when and how.
(strike dates are supposed to be decided on the 27th and 29th)
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3849002/03/12/Iberia-y-el-Sepla-no-alcanzan-un-acuerdo-con-la-mediacion-de-Pimentel.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3848843/03/12/Economia-Empresas-Los-pilotos-de-Iberia-podrian-convocar-nuevos-paros-en-dos-nuevas-asambleas-esta-misma-semana.html
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/sepla-%e2%80%9cla-huelga-es-segura-porque-iberia-ha-boicoteado-la-mediacion%e2%80%9d-229606.html
shortypowers
Mar 26, 12, 7:55 am
List of flights cancelled for the Spain General Strike this week:
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=e40b33891dd46310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
Iberia flights - http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Cancelled%20flights%20General%20Strike%2029M.pdf
Air Nostrum flights - http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Cancelled%20flights%20YW-general%20strike%2029M.pdf
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=e40b33891dd46310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
Iberia flights - http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Cancelled%20flights%20General%20Strike%2029M.pdf
Air Nostrum flights - http://grupo.iberia.es/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/Cancelled%20flights%20YW-general%20strike%2029M.pdf
mkt
Mar 26, 12, 10:57 pm
¡joder!
andreadbc
Mar 27, 12, 7:02 am
¡joder!
You might want to say that 24 times.
El País: Los pilotos de Iberia harán huelga todos los lunes y viernes de abril a julio (http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/03/26/actualidad/1332790110_512740.html)
(Strikes all Mondays and Fridays from April 9th to July 20th)
You might want to say that 24 times.
El País: Los pilotos de Iberia harán huelga todos los lunes y viernes de abril a julio (http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/03/26/actualidad/1332790110_512740.html)
(Strikes all Mondays and Fridays from April 9th to July 20th)
mkt
Mar 27, 12, 11:36 am
You might want to say that 24 times.
El País: Los pilotos de Iberia harán huelga todos los lunes y viernes de abril a julio (http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/03/26/actualidad/1332790110_512740.html)
(Strikes all Mondays and Fridays from April 9th to July 20th)
Me salve el pellejo... my flights are on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Vacation plans continue.
El País: Los pilotos de Iberia harán huelga todos los lunes y viernes de abril a julio (http://economia.elpais.com/economia/2012/03/26/actualidad/1332790110_512740.html)
(Strikes all Mondays and Fridays from April 9th to July 20th)
Me salve el pellejo... my flights are on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Vacation plans continue.
gnargel
Mar 27, 12, 12:54 pm
Not doing to well here....
Outbound and inbound flights are on dates both listed as strike dates for the strike called off on March 13 and for the newly announced dates....
Any chance of new negotiations? :)
Outbound and inbound flights are on dates both listed as strike dates for the strike called off on March 13 and for the newly announced dates....
Any chance of new negotiations? :)
zig2
Mar 30, 12, 8:45 am
I am taking IB6651 on Apr 13. This is a long-haul flight I really don't want to miss (otherwise the time will be bad). :(
Will that be canceled because of the strike?
Will that be canceled because of the strike?
andreadbc
Mar 30, 12, 10:19 am
I am taking IB6651 on Apr 13. This is a long-haul flight I really don't want to miss (otherwise the time will be bad). :(
Will that be canceled because of the strike?
They have said that in the past strikes flights that are long distance and only once per day (like this one is) have been protected.
Of course, there is no way to know for sure until the cancellation list is released.
Will that be canceled because of the strike?
They have said that in the past strikes flights that are long distance and only once per day (like this one is) have been protected.
Of course, there is no way to know for sure until the cancellation list is released.
tom911
Mar 30, 12, 4:20 pm
The April 9 list is up:
http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/canceled-flights-april-9-2012
http://www.slideshare.net/IberiaAirlines/canceled-flights-april-9-2012
aceflyer2
Mar 31, 12, 9:11 am
First, Iberia cancelled my MAD-MIA segment and now I have to worry about the intra-Europe portion. I will never fly them again unless there is no other option.
ian001
Apr 2, 12, 2:54 pm
The Financial Times is reporting that Iberia is to seek a court ruling that the planned industrial action is illegal and seek damages for strikes previously held by pilots and cabin crew.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d77e59c4-7cdb-11e1-a676-00144feab49a.html
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d77e59c4-7cdb-11e1-a676-00144feab49a.html
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 4, 12, 5:49 am
flights cancelled on the 13th
http://www.rtve.es/contenidos/documentos/vuelos_cancelados_13_abril-esp.pdf
and the 16th
http://www.rtve.es/contenidos/documentos/vuelos_cancelados_16_abril-esp.pdf
http://www.rtve.es/contenidos/documentos/vuelos_cancelados_13_abril-esp.pdf
and the 16th
http://www.rtve.es/contenidos/documentos/vuelos_cancelados_16_abril-esp.pdf
jemeaux
Apr 14, 12, 10:56 am
They've now announced April 23. I fly ORD-MAD April 26 with a connecting flight to Venice on April 27. Has anyone had luck with rebooking a different flight for the same day rather than having to be pushed back a day?
My return flight is on a Monday too. Joy.
My return flight is on a Monday too. Joy.
andreadbc
Apr 14, 12, 11:33 am
Flights cancelled on April 20th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_20apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 19th)
Flights cancelled on April 23th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_23apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 22nd)
Flights cancelled on April 23th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_23apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 22nd)
gnargel
Apr 15, 12, 5:57 am
Flights cancelled on April 20th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_20apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 19th)
Flights cancelled on April 23th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_23apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 22nd)
I suppose that the court ruling that ian001 referred to has not yet taken place/was not in favor of Iberia?
Also, when there was a BA strike a couple of years ago there were more messages posted every hour than posted in this subforum every month. Does anyone know whether there is a forum that more actively discusses this strike (and possible hopes of an agreement between the crew and Iberia)?
Regards,
gnargel
Flights cancelled on April 23th (http://www.iberia.com/ibcomv3/content/COMUN/PDF/st_23apr.pdf) (+ a few from the 22nd)
I suppose that the court ruling that ian001 referred to has not yet taken place/was not in favor of Iberia?
Also, when there was a BA strike a couple of years ago there were more messages posted every hour than posted in this subforum every month. Does anyone know whether there is a forum that more actively discusses this strike (and possible hopes of an agreement between the crew and Iberia)?
Regards,
gnargel
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 16, 12, 10:49 am
Statement issued by the airline in relation to the SEPLA pilots union’s
Pilots’ abusive strike and their pay and benefits place Iberia’s future in jeopardy.
Madrid, April 16, 2012
Here follows a statement issued by the airline in relation to the SEPLA pilots union’s call for another 30 strike days and to the latest remarks by the SEPLA representative:
The Legality of Iberia Express, a Success Story with Good Prospects
Iberia Express was founded on October 6, 2011, and it complies with all Iberia’s agreements and union contracts, so it is strictly legal.
Iberia Express is a company 100% owned by the Iberia group, specialising in short- and medium-haul flights, both point-to-point and to feed traffic to Iberia’s long-haul network in a profitable manner.
Iberia Express began operations on March 25, using four Airbus A320s to serve four domestic destinations, to be expanded by the end of this year to 14 aircraft and 20 destinations, including some that are entirely new for Iberia, such as Riga and Mikonos. It offers both business and tourist class, and the same services as other Iberia flights, at competitive fares.
In a country with 5 million unemployed, the new airline will create some 500 jobs this year, a number which will double when the company reaches full capacity.
Iberia Express is a success story from the very beginning, with a punctuality rating close to 100%. Its business approach, ability to adapt to the current situation and its quality guarantee Iberia Express a bright future, as bright as the other airlines where Iberia holds a stake.
A Short- and Medium-haul Segment with a Future and Employment Guarantees
The traditional business model for short- and medium-haul routes is no longer viable, as the closing of several carriers attests, due to competition from low-cost airlines and other forms of transportation, as well as a structural shift in the priorities of the customers in these markets. At the same time, Iberia relies on having a broad range of such routes since they provide 70% of its traffic on the long-haul routes which are profitable and on which the company is focusing its future growth strategy.
Iberia negotiated and reached agreements with ground staff and cabin crews over a number of measures to contain costs and raise productivity, aimed at restoring profitability to these routes. However, despite a total of more than 60 meetings over a two-year period, it proved impossible to reach a similar agreement with pilots, which led Iberia to launch the new Iberia Express airline as the best alternative for making short- and medium-haul routes viable, while feeding traffic to the company’s long-haul network.
The airline has made formal employment guarantee commitments to the ground and cabin staff unions representing 93% of total company personnel, with assurances that the creation of Iberia Express does not threaten existing jobs.
Iberia Pilots’ Productivity
The productivity of Iberia pilots is the lowest in Spain. They fly an average of 650 hours per year, as compared with the 900 the law permits, the more than 800 flown by pilots of other short-haul airlines with which Iberia competes. The collective bargaining agreement with Iberia specifies a limit of 820 hours per year in short-haul fleets and 850 in long-haul fleets, limits which are never reached because of the large number of conditions and restrictions.
In addition, in long-haul flights many of these hours are worked by extra crew members who travel as reinforcement staff, in excess of legal requisites and the practices of other airlines.
Under the proposal made by the SEPLA union, the pilots hired by Iberia Express would enter the ranks of all Iberia pilots and come under the same collective bargaining agreement, with the same conditions and restrictions, which means that their productivity would be exactly the same as that of other Iberia pilots. Without eliminating these conditions and restrictions, it would be impossible to increase productivity to a level near that of competing airlines. In addition, the pilots union proposal for payroll cuts was strictly temporary, and would have been diluted over time and fail to solve any of Iberia's competitiveness issues.
The Strikes
SEPLA has called a total of 26 strikes against Iberia in the past 30 years, which is probably a record number of strikes ever endured by any company in such a period. In the past five months SEPLA has called 66 strike days to protest the creation of Iberia Express; it initially cancelled 24 of them when the government proposed mediation by Manuel Pimentel, but called again another 30 strikes, up until July 20.
Each of the first 12 strike days in the past few months brought losses to the airline of around 3 million euros, or a total of 36 million. We have to add on top of this the other 30 new strike days, with their concomitant losses to the company.
Mediation
Last November, long before the intervention of the mediator proposed by the government, Iberia had already offered SEPLA representatives the opportunity to choose a neutral person to preside over the bargaining table in order to facilitate negotiations, but this proposal was rejected by SEPLA. For this role the company had suggested Esteban Rodríguez Vera, who has held numerous positions in the Ministry of Labour, including those of Director General and General Technical Secretary, and also Carolina Martínez Moreno, professor of labour law at the University of Oviedo, and chairperson of the National Consultative Committee on Collective Bargaining.
The airline worked openly and in the best of faith with the mediator named by the government, Manuel Pimentel, with the aim of reaching an agreement to call off a conflict that is so damaging to customers, to the company, and to Spain’s tourism sector and economy as a whole.
Iberia was prepared to consider the proposal made by the mediator, but it was rejected out of hand by the SEPLA pilot’s union, so could not even be discussed.
Iberia’s Spanishness
Iberia is not the property of the SEPLA union, but belongs to shareholders around the world, who risk their money, vote on company strategy (including the creation of Iberia Express), appoint top management, and keep watch on the company through the board.
The company’s headquarters, its operational base, and the lion’s share of its business, are all in Spain, and this is the greatest guarantee of its Spanishness.
Sixty-six strike days are not the best way to attract serious investors to the company or the capital required to ensure survival and future growth, but, on the contrary, they drive investors and customers away, and constitute an irresponsible action by the SEPLA union that poses the greatest risk to Iberia’s future.
The T4 Hub
Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas airport does not belong to the SEPLA union, nor to Iberia, nor to British Airways, nor to any of the many other airlines that use it. It belongs to the state agency AENA, hence to the country as a whole, and it is open to airlines that pay fees for its use.
Iberia is the largest user of this terminal, so its pays the most to AENA. Iberia group airlines operate more than 600 daily flights from/to Madrid, as compared to 10 operated by British Airways, which has actually reduced the number of its Madrid flights since the merger.
IAG
IAG, the holding company to which both Iberia and British Airways now belong, is a Spanish company with corporate domicile in Madrid and operational HQ in London. The chairman is a Spaniard, Iberia chairman Antonio Vázquez, and its largest shareholder is the Spanish bank Caja Madrid (now Bankia).
The IAG board has 14 members, seven chosen by Iberia and seven by British Airways, and it supervises both companies.
IAG’s primary concern is for both airlines to be profitable, and to create value for shareholders, employees, and customers. But the two airlines maintain their separate identities and brands, along with autonomy of management, with each one obliged to solve its problems using its own means and resources. Each airline has to finance investment with its own funds. Each airline has its plans and must manage them with its own resources, solving problems with its own means. The motive of the merger was to create synergies, i.e. to save on costs thanks to a larger volume of purchases, and to share certain resources and increase revenues thanks to a larger network.
Iberia believes it necessary to state the foregoing to further the understanding of the current situation by its customers and the public at large.
The company will continue to use all means at its disposal to assist customers affected by the strikes, and to assure the future of Iberia and of its more than 20,000 employees.
Iberia appeals its pilots to stop the strike and work to make Iberia one of the most competitive airlines, which will benefit them and the company as a whole.
http://grupo.iberia.com/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=bb9b441b18ab6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
Pilots’ abusive strike and their pay and benefits place Iberia’s future in jeopardy.
Madrid, April 16, 2012
Here follows a statement issued by the airline in relation to the SEPLA pilots union’s call for another 30 strike days and to the latest remarks by the SEPLA representative:
The Legality of Iberia Express, a Success Story with Good Prospects
Iberia Express was founded on October 6, 2011, and it complies with all Iberia’s agreements and union contracts, so it is strictly legal.
Iberia Express is a company 100% owned by the Iberia group, specialising in short- and medium-haul flights, both point-to-point and to feed traffic to Iberia’s long-haul network in a profitable manner.
Iberia Express began operations on March 25, using four Airbus A320s to serve four domestic destinations, to be expanded by the end of this year to 14 aircraft and 20 destinations, including some that are entirely new for Iberia, such as Riga and Mikonos. It offers both business and tourist class, and the same services as other Iberia flights, at competitive fares.
In a country with 5 million unemployed, the new airline will create some 500 jobs this year, a number which will double when the company reaches full capacity.
Iberia Express is a success story from the very beginning, with a punctuality rating close to 100%. Its business approach, ability to adapt to the current situation and its quality guarantee Iberia Express a bright future, as bright as the other airlines where Iberia holds a stake.
A Short- and Medium-haul Segment with a Future and Employment Guarantees
The traditional business model for short- and medium-haul routes is no longer viable, as the closing of several carriers attests, due to competition from low-cost airlines and other forms of transportation, as well as a structural shift in the priorities of the customers in these markets. At the same time, Iberia relies on having a broad range of such routes since they provide 70% of its traffic on the long-haul routes which are profitable and on which the company is focusing its future growth strategy.
Iberia negotiated and reached agreements with ground staff and cabin crews over a number of measures to contain costs and raise productivity, aimed at restoring profitability to these routes. However, despite a total of more than 60 meetings over a two-year period, it proved impossible to reach a similar agreement with pilots, which led Iberia to launch the new Iberia Express airline as the best alternative for making short- and medium-haul routes viable, while feeding traffic to the company’s long-haul network.
The airline has made formal employment guarantee commitments to the ground and cabin staff unions representing 93% of total company personnel, with assurances that the creation of Iberia Express does not threaten existing jobs.
Iberia Pilots’ Productivity
The productivity of Iberia pilots is the lowest in Spain. They fly an average of 650 hours per year, as compared with the 900 the law permits, the more than 800 flown by pilots of other short-haul airlines with which Iberia competes. The collective bargaining agreement with Iberia specifies a limit of 820 hours per year in short-haul fleets and 850 in long-haul fleets, limits which are never reached because of the large number of conditions and restrictions.
In addition, in long-haul flights many of these hours are worked by extra crew members who travel as reinforcement staff, in excess of legal requisites and the practices of other airlines.
Under the proposal made by the SEPLA union, the pilots hired by Iberia Express would enter the ranks of all Iberia pilots and come under the same collective bargaining agreement, with the same conditions and restrictions, which means that their productivity would be exactly the same as that of other Iberia pilots. Without eliminating these conditions and restrictions, it would be impossible to increase productivity to a level near that of competing airlines. In addition, the pilots union proposal for payroll cuts was strictly temporary, and would have been diluted over time and fail to solve any of Iberia's competitiveness issues.
The Strikes
SEPLA has called a total of 26 strikes against Iberia in the past 30 years, which is probably a record number of strikes ever endured by any company in such a period. In the past five months SEPLA has called 66 strike days to protest the creation of Iberia Express; it initially cancelled 24 of them when the government proposed mediation by Manuel Pimentel, but called again another 30 strikes, up until July 20.
Each of the first 12 strike days in the past few months brought losses to the airline of around 3 million euros, or a total of 36 million. We have to add on top of this the other 30 new strike days, with their concomitant losses to the company.
Mediation
Last November, long before the intervention of the mediator proposed by the government, Iberia had already offered SEPLA representatives the opportunity to choose a neutral person to preside over the bargaining table in order to facilitate negotiations, but this proposal was rejected by SEPLA. For this role the company had suggested Esteban Rodríguez Vera, who has held numerous positions in the Ministry of Labour, including those of Director General and General Technical Secretary, and also Carolina Martínez Moreno, professor of labour law at the University of Oviedo, and chairperson of the National Consultative Committee on Collective Bargaining.
The airline worked openly and in the best of faith with the mediator named by the government, Manuel Pimentel, with the aim of reaching an agreement to call off a conflict that is so damaging to customers, to the company, and to Spain’s tourism sector and economy as a whole.
Iberia was prepared to consider the proposal made by the mediator, but it was rejected out of hand by the SEPLA pilot’s union, so could not even be discussed.
Iberia’s Spanishness
Iberia is not the property of the SEPLA union, but belongs to shareholders around the world, who risk their money, vote on company strategy (including the creation of Iberia Express), appoint top management, and keep watch on the company through the board.
The company’s headquarters, its operational base, and the lion’s share of its business, are all in Spain, and this is the greatest guarantee of its Spanishness.
Sixty-six strike days are not the best way to attract serious investors to the company or the capital required to ensure survival and future growth, but, on the contrary, they drive investors and customers away, and constitute an irresponsible action by the SEPLA union that poses the greatest risk to Iberia’s future.
The T4 Hub
Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas airport does not belong to the SEPLA union, nor to Iberia, nor to British Airways, nor to any of the many other airlines that use it. It belongs to the state agency AENA, hence to the country as a whole, and it is open to airlines that pay fees for its use.
Iberia is the largest user of this terminal, so its pays the most to AENA. Iberia group airlines operate more than 600 daily flights from/to Madrid, as compared to 10 operated by British Airways, which has actually reduced the number of its Madrid flights since the merger.
IAG
IAG, the holding company to which both Iberia and British Airways now belong, is a Spanish company with corporate domicile in Madrid and operational HQ in London. The chairman is a Spaniard, Iberia chairman Antonio Vázquez, and its largest shareholder is the Spanish bank Caja Madrid (now Bankia).
The IAG board has 14 members, seven chosen by Iberia and seven by British Airways, and it supervises both companies.
IAG’s primary concern is for both airlines to be profitable, and to create value for shareholders, employees, and customers. But the two airlines maintain their separate identities and brands, along with autonomy of management, with each one obliged to solve its problems using its own means and resources. Each airline has to finance investment with its own funds. Each airline has its plans and must manage them with its own resources, solving problems with its own means. The motive of the merger was to create synergies, i.e. to save on costs thanks to a larger volume of purchases, and to share certain resources and increase revenues thanks to a larger network.
Iberia believes it necessary to state the foregoing to further the understanding of the current situation by its customers and the public at large.
The company will continue to use all means at its disposal to assist customers affected by the strikes, and to assure the future of Iberia and of its more than 20,000 employees.
Iberia appeals its pilots to stop the strike and work to make Iberia one of the most competitive airlines, which will benefit them and the company as a whole.
http://grupo.iberia.com/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=bb9b441b18ab6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
ian001
Apr 17, 12, 9:40 am
No sign of abating...
Iberia Press Release (http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=7b3f84249ffb6310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD)
Iberia today announced plans to implement a series of measures aimed at making the airline more competitive and strengthening its position in a period marked by weak demand, high fuel prices, and fierce competition. This position has been aggravated seriously by the strikes held since December by the SEPLA pilots union which have cost the company some three million euros per strike day.
The purpose of the measures is to reduce Iberia’s unit costs and to raise productivity. Specifically, pilots’ payroll costs will be cut by 20% or 62 million euros, and productivity will be increased by 25%.
The company decided that the measures will apply to the pilots alone, who are the only employees who, following more than two and a half years of negotiations, have failed to reach an agreement on a new union contract, such as those agreed by ground staff and cabin crews.
The cut in unit costs is to be achieved via a 12% reduction in pay scales and other measures bringing an additional 8% decrease in pilots’ payroll costs, such as the elimination of certain automatic pay hikes linked to the inflation rate. Another measure will adjust remuneration to pilots with 15 years’ seniority who choose to work fewer hours, so that pay is proportional to the hours worked. The guarantee to pilots who lose their licenses will be cut from 90% to 45% of their pay, and incentive pay for attaining objectives will be dropped.
Productivity will be increased by raising the number of hours worked by Iberia pilots, within legally established limits. Iberia will now set a limit of 900 flying hours per year for pilots, raising it from the 820 or 850 hours (depending on distances flown) limit stipulated in the last collective bargaining agreement, although the real number of hours flown is closer to 650. Seniority-linked extra vacation days will be dropped, and there will be changes in on-call arrangements. Lastly, the composition of flight crews will be modified within the limits of current legislation.
Iberia financial manager José María Fariza commented that “the company accepts the necessity of applying these measures within the current framework of labour laws and agreements, as the sole means of ensuring success in the difficult situation faced by the airline”, adding that “this battery of actions aimed at making Iberia profitable is in line with what comparable airlines are doing and is absolutely necessary to enable us to compete successfully in a globalised market”.
Meanwhile, Iberia today called on the SEPLA pilots union to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a new contract and to call off the strikes that do so much damage to the company and the customers who maintain it.
Iberia expresses its regret that SEPLA representatives decided not to attend the meeting called for today in which the company intended to explain the new measures it is proposing to implement, in an indication of if its lack of interest in negotiations. Iberia has invited them to new meetings called for the 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of April, and in order to facilitate their attendance has abstained from assigning flying duty to any SEPLA representative for the next 15 days.
As in earlier strikes, the company expresses its regrets for any inconvenience caused and pledges to use all means at its disposal to minimise the strikes’ impact on travel plans. Iberia also thanks all its other employees for their efforts in providing the best possible services to our customers.
Iberia Press Release (http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=7b3f84249ffb6310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD)
Iberia today announced plans to implement a series of measures aimed at making the airline more competitive and strengthening its position in a period marked by weak demand, high fuel prices, and fierce competition. This position has been aggravated seriously by the strikes held since December by the SEPLA pilots union which have cost the company some three million euros per strike day.
The purpose of the measures is to reduce Iberia’s unit costs and to raise productivity. Specifically, pilots’ payroll costs will be cut by 20% or 62 million euros, and productivity will be increased by 25%.
The company decided that the measures will apply to the pilots alone, who are the only employees who, following more than two and a half years of negotiations, have failed to reach an agreement on a new union contract, such as those agreed by ground staff and cabin crews.
The cut in unit costs is to be achieved via a 12% reduction in pay scales and other measures bringing an additional 8% decrease in pilots’ payroll costs, such as the elimination of certain automatic pay hikes linked to the inflation rate. Another measure will adjust remuneration to pilots with 15 years’ seniority who choose to work fewer hours, so that pay is proportional to the hours worked. The guarantee to pilots who lose their licenses will be cut from 90% to 45% of their pay, and incentive pay for attaining objectives will be dropped.
Productivity will be increased by raising the number of hours worked by Iberia pilots, within legally established limits. Iberia will now set a limit of 900 flying hours per year for pilots, raising it from the 820 or 850 hours (depending on distances flown) limit stipulated in the last collective bargaining agreement, although the real number of hours flown is closer to 650. Seniority-linked extra vacation days will be dropped, and there will be changes in on-call arrangements. Lastly, the composition of flight crews will be modified within the limits of current legislation.
Iberia financial manager José María Fariza commented that “the company accepts the necessity of applying these measures within the current framework of labour laws and agreements, as the sole means of ensuring success in the difficult situation faced by the airline”, adding that “this battery of actions aimed at making Iberia profitable is in line with what comparable airlines are doing and is absolutely necessary to enable us to compete successfully in a globalised market”.
Meanwhile, Iberia today called on the SEPLA pilots union to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a new contract and to call off the strikes that do so much damage to the company and the customers who maintain it.
Iberia expresses its regret that SEPLA representatives decided not to attend the meeting called for today in which the company intended to explain the new measures it is proposing to implement, in an indication of if its lack of interest in negotiations. Iberia has invited them to new meetings called for the 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th of April, and in order to facilitate their attendance has abstained from assigning flying duty to any SEPLA representative for the next 15 days.
As in earlier strikes, the company expresses its regrets for any inconvenience caused and pledges to use all means at its disposal to minimise the strikes’ impact on travel plans. Iberia also thanks all its other employees for their efforts in providing the best possible services to our customers.
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 17, 12, 12:23 pm
Easyjet in Spain will also strike April 27, 28 and May 2 :rolleyes:
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-tcp-de-easyjet-convocan-huelga-para-el-puente-de-mayo-230160.html
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/los-tcp-de-easyjet-convocan-huelga-para-el-puente-de-mayo-230160.html
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 18, 12, 4:43 am
Financial Times:
Under recent reforms to Spanish labour law, companies are allowed to propose changes to contracts with employees if the groups have experienced two consecutive quarters of either losses or falling revenue – both of which apply to Iberia.
The proposals are an opening gambit that triggers 15 days of negotiation with the Sepla, the pilots union. That will be followed by another week of talks if an agreement cannot be reached, after which an arbitration committee will step in. Iberia expects a resolution in 50 days time.
Analysts on Tuesday agreed that the airline needed to take action. “Being an airline you have to continuously cut costs,” said Gert Zonneveld at Panmure Gordon. “It’s non-stop.”
Douglas McNeill, an analyst at Charles Stanley, estimates Iberia’s short-haul division lost €100m last year. “Saving this kind of money would still leave work to be done, but it would constitute very significant progress,” he said on Tuesday.
He added that while these proposals might simply be an aggressive first move by the airline in a longer game, “Iberia pilots are already striking with such regularity that management doesn’t have much to lose by upping the ante”.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/11b50a30-8893-11e1-a727-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sO4gV9TN
Under recent reforms to Spanish labour law, companies are allowed to propose changes to contracts with employees if the groups have experienced two consecutive quarters of either losses or falling revenue – both of which apply to Iberia.
The proposals are an opening gambit that triggers 15 days of negotiation with the Sepla, the pilots union. That will be followed by another week of talks if an agreement cannot be reached, after which an arbitration committee will step in. Iberia expects a resolution in 50 days time.
Analysts on Tuesday agreed that the airline needed to take action. “Being an airline you have to continuously cut costs,” said Gert Zonneveld at Panmure Gordon. “It’s non-stop.”
Douglas McNeill, an analyst at Charles Stanley, estimates Iberia’s short-haul division lost €100m last year. “Saving this kind of money would still leave work to be done, but it would constitute very significant progress,” he said on Tuesday.
He added that while these proposals might simply be an aggressive first move by the airline in a longer game, “Iberia pilots are already striking with such regularity that management doesn’t have much to lose by upping the ante”.
http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/11b50a30-8893-11e1-a727-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sO4gV9TN
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 20, 12, 12:19 pm
IB Cabin Crew will strike 4, 11 and 14 of May (Pilots will also be on strike those days)
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3911170/04/12/Un-sindicato-de-tripulantes-convoca-3-dias-de-huelga-en-iberia-en-mayo.html
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3911170/04/12/Un-sindicato-de-tripulantes-convoca-3-dias-de-huelga-en-iberia-en-mayo.html
Random Flyer
Apr 20, 12, 1:03 pm
Are those flights that have been switched to the new IberiaExpress at risk of being cancelled due to the strike?
gnargel
Apr 20, 12, 1:15 pm
IB Cabin Crew will strike 4, 11 and 14 of May (Pilots will also be on strike those days)
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3911170/04/12/Un-sindicato-de-tripulantes-convoca-3-dias-de-huelga-en-iberia-en-mayo.html
Good times, good times indeed.
No mention of the Cabin Crew strike on the Iberia homepage.... Hopefully the news section will be updated shortly, so I can (finally) rebook my May 11 flights....
http://www.eleconomista.es/economia/noticias/3911170/04/12/Un-sindicato-de-tripulantes-convoca-3-dias-de-huelga-en-iberia-en-mayo.html
Good times, good times indeed.
No mention of the Cabin Crew strike on the Iberia homepage.... Hopefully the news section will be updated shortly, so I can (finally) rebook my May 11 flights....
jemeaux
Apr 20, 12, 5:34 pm
Luckily AA has been very accommodating on their codeshare on Iberia flights - rebooked mine for the day before due to scheduling conflicts.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/travelAlerts.jsp
Now there's just the flight back on May 14, looks like it'll be both the pilots and crew striking then.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/travelAlerts.jsp
Now there's just the flight back on May 14, looks like it'll be both the pilots and crew striking then.
aceflyer2
Apr 20, 12, 8:57 pm
AA has accomodated my family and me as well. Will be using Air Berlin connecting through Frankfurt to AA.
Luckily AA has been very accommodating on their codeshare on Iberia flights - rebooked mine for the day before due to scheduling conflicts.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/travelAlerts.jsp
Now there's just the flight back on May 14, looks like it'll be both the pilots and crew striking then.
Luckily AA has been very accommodating on their codeshare on Iberia flights - rebooked mine for the day before due to scheduling conflicts.
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/travelAlerts.jsp
Now there's just the flight back on May 14, looks like it'll be both the pilots and crew striking then.
andreadbc
Apr 24, 12, 3:42 am
Flights cancelled on April 27th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2027%20DE%20APRIL,%20english.pdf) (+ a few from the 26th)
Flights cancelled on April 30th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2030%20DE%20APRIL,%20English.pdf) (+ a few from the 29th)
Flights cancelled on April 30th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2030%20DE%20APRIL,%20English.pdf) (+ a few from the 29th)
gnargel
Apr 27, 12, 1:20 am
Flights cancelled on April 27th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2027%20DE%20APRIL,%20english.pdf) (+ a few from the 26th)
Flights cancelled on April 30th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2030%20DE%20APRIL,%20English.pdf) (+ a few from the 29th)
May 4 and 7 list is up:
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 62845&BV_SessionID=@@@@0292630252.1335511133@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehadfgiidlmfecfngcfkmdfhmdfnn.0&tabId=3
Flights cancelled on April 30th (http://grupo.iberia.com/content/GrupoIberia/Noticias/Sala%20de%20Prensa/2012/documentos/VUELOS%20CANCELADOS%20POR%20LA%20HUELGA%20DEL%20SE PLA%20D%C3%8DA%2030%20DE%20APRIL,%20English.pdf) (+ a few from the 29th)
May 4 and 7 list is up:
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 62845&BV_SessionID=@@@@0292630252.1335511133@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehadfgiidlmfecfngcfkmdfhmdfnn.0&tabId=3
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 27, 12, 8:52 am
The government has stepped in and as a sign of goodwill,
the pilot's union has just cancelled the remaining strike dates
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/el-sepla-desconvoca-la-huelga-%e2%80%9ccomo-gesto-de-buena-voluntad%e2%80%9d-230414.html
Spain forces talks between Iberia and pilots union
MADRID, April 27 (Reuters) –
Spain said it was forcing
negotiations between airline Iberia and its pilots union on
Friday, taking steps to resolve a labour dispute that threatens
to disrupt Spanish tourism during the peak travel season.
Pilots of Iberia, which is part of International Airlines
Group, are protesting over the creation of low-cost
airline Iberia Express, which unions see as a threat to jobs and
conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria announced
the measure after a weekly government cabinet meeting
http://g7finance.com/g7finance-news/update-1-spain-forces-talks-between-iberia-and-pilots-union/
the pilot's union has just cancelled the remaining strike dates
http://www.preferente.com/transportes/noticias-de-aerolineas/el-sepla-desconvoca-la-huelga-%e2%80%9ccomo-gesto-de-buena-voluntad%e2%80%9d-230414.html
Spain forces talks between Iberia and pilots union
MADRID, April 27 (Reuters) –
Spain said it was forcing
negotiations between airline Iberia and its pilots union on
Friday, taking steps to resolve a labour dispute that threatens
to disrupt Spanish tourism during the peak travel season.
Pilots of Iberia, which is part of International Airlines
Group, are protesting over the creation of low-cost
airline Iberia Express, which unions see as a threat to jobs and
conditions.
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria announced
the measure after a weekly government cabinet meeting
http://g7finance.com/g7finance-news/update-1-spain-forces-talks-between-iberia-and-pilots-union/
Hannibal Lecter
Apr 28, 12, 9:51 am
May 4 and 7 list is up:
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 62845&BV_SessionID=@@@@0292630252.1335511133@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehadfgiidlmfecfngcfkmdfhmdfnn.0&tabId=3
The cancelation has been cancelled :), but only the May flights
not the ones in April.
Iberia restores flights that had been cancelled on 4th and 7th may
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=f0db5b6a6cde6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
Iberia suspends the consultation period related to the changes in the collective agreement
Madrid, April 27, 2012
Once the government has announced the start of an arbitration process and the Sepla pilots union has called off the strike, Iberia has decided to suspend the consultation period regarding the proposed changes in the collective agreement. This suspension will end once the arbitrator announces a resolution.
Iberia will not propose an arbitrator. It will wait for the proposal made by the government.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=6e4cfb044e4f6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 62845&BV_SessionID=@@@@0292630252.1335511133@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccehadfgiidlmfecfngcfkmdfhmdfnn.0&tabId=3
The cancelation has been cancelled :), but only the May flights
not the ones in April.
Iberia restores flights that had been cancelled on 4th and 7th may
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=f0db5b6a6cde6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
Iberia suspends the consultation period related to the changes in the collective agreement
Madrid, April 27, 2012
Once the government has announced the start of an arbitration process and the Sepla pilots union has called off the strike, Iberia has decided to suspend the consultation period regarding the proposed changes in the collective agreement. This suspension will end once the arbitrator announces a resolution.
Iberia will not propose an arbitrator. It will wait for the proposal made by the government.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=6e4cfb044e4f6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
Hannibal Lecter
May 4, 12, 6:37 am
The cancelation has been cancelled :), but only the May flights
not the ones in April.
Iberia restores flights that had been cancelled on 4th and 7th may
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=f0db5b6a6cde6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
aaaaaaaaaargh, the pilots are not on strike but the cabin crew is, so
contrary to what they said before
Flights affected on May 4th due to the cabin crew strike
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 79939&tabId=3
So that probably means that there'll be cancellations the 11th and 14th of May as welll
not the ones in April.
Iberia restores flights that had been cancelled on 4th and 7th may
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=f0db5b6a6cde6310VgnVCM20000060fe15ac RCRD
aaaaaaaaaargh, the pilots are not on strike but the cabin crew is, so
contrary to what they said before
Flights affected on May 4th due to the cabin crew strike
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 79939&tabId=3
So that probably means that there'll be cancellations the 11th and 14th of May as welll
gnargel
May 4, 12, 12:46 pm
aaaaaaaaaargh, the pilots are not on strike but the cabin crew is, so
contrary to what they said before
Flights affected on May 4th due to the cabin crew strike
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 79939&tabId=3
So that probably means that there'll be cancellations the 11th and 14th of May as welll
Wow, having a flight booked with Iberia is like a roller coaster..
Up: booked a flight and everything was fine
Down: First strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: New Strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: Cabin crew strike still on for May 11
From now on I'll only book an Iberia flight, when Iberia is making a profit of at least a billion (or a trillion peseta's) and Spain's economy has an annual growth of at least 10%..
contrary to what they said before
Flights affected on May 4th due to the cabin crew strike
http://www.iberia.com/OneToOne/v3/cargarDetalleEmergencias.do?IdEmergencyDetail=5401 79939&tabId=3
So that probably means that there'll be cancellations the 11th and 14th of May as welll
Wow, having a flight booked with Iberia is like a roller coaster..
Up: booked a flight and everything was fine
Down: First strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: New Strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: Cabin crew strike still on for May 11
From now on I'll only book an Iberia flight, when Iberia is making a profit of at least a billion (or a trillion peseta's) and Spain's economy has an annual growth of at least 10%..
AA_EXP09
May 4, 12, 5:10 pm
Wow, having a flight booked with Iberia is like a roller coaster..
Up: booked a flight and everything was fine
Down: First strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: New Strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: Cabin crew strike still on for May 11
From now on I'll only book an Iberia flight, when Iberia is making a profit of at least a billion (or a trillion peseta's) and Spain's economy has an annual growth of at least 10%..
I would book IB flights to get on the superior BA service. (in reference to JFK/MIA-LHR if I redeem an award. Plus I would pay minimal YQ.)
Up: booked a flight and everything was fine
Down: First strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: New Strike called for May 11
Up: Strike called off
Down: Cabin crew strike still on for May 11
From now on I'll only book an Iberia flight, when Iberia is making a profit of at least a billion (or a trillion peseta's) and Spain's economy has an annual growth of at least 10%..
I would book IB flights to get on the superior BA service. (in reference to JFK/MIA-LHR if I redeem an award. Plus I would pay minimal YQ.)
gnargel
May 8, 12, 1:28 pm
I would book IB flights to get on the superior BA service. (in reference to JFK/MIA-LHR if I redeem an award. Plus I would pay minimal YQ.)
Suppose that works when BA actually flies to your final destination and you are flexible (2x no for me).
When will they FINALLY post the cancellations for May 11, the cabin crew strikes were announced ages ago...
Suppose that works when BA actually flies to your final destination and you are flexible (2x no for me).
When will they FINALLY post the cancellations for May 11, the cabin crew strikes were announced ages ago...
gnargel
May 9, 12, 4:46 am
Hmmm, there is a message on the spanish version of the corporate website
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=de53a763d8927310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
Think it means they are not going to cancel anything in advance.
http://grupo.iberia.es/portal/site/grupoiberia/menuitem.0ffaf48bc2c1f79bf75771fbf34e51ca/?ib_contentId=de53a763d8927310VgnVCM1000005ffe15ac RCRD
Think it means they are not going to cancel anything in advance.
joneSi
May 20, 12, 8:17 am
Thanks for the info here...I fly ORD-DFW-MAD-VLC in F in about a month. MAD-VLC on Air Nostrum (well..in J on Air Nostrum...whatever that means, lol).
j
j
chongcao
May 21, 12, 7:17 am
I am sure there are so many in the 20% of unemployed Spaniard would like to take over the Cabin Crew's job for 1 third or less of what they have been paid now...
Hannibal Lecter
Jun 22, 12, 2:11 am
Iberia to challenge key pilots’ ruling
By Victor Mallet in Madrid
Spain’s flag carrier Iberia, which joined with British Airways last year to form International Airlines Group, will challenge an arbitration ruling that was supposed to resolve a bitter dispute with its 1,400 pilots, according to Antonio Vázquez, IAG chairman.
He told the group’s annual general meeting in Madrid on Thursday that Iberia would launch a challenge to the ruling on Friday because the arbitrator had exceeded his mandate “in taking a decision that will negatively affect the ability of managers to achieve an appropriate cost base for the business”.
Jaime Montalvo, the arbitrator, ruled last month that Iberia was perfectly entitled to launch its low-cost airline Iberia Express but would have to include all pilots in the same overall pay scale even if working conditions in the two parts of the company were different.
Justo Peral Cabrera, chairman of the pilots’ union Sepla, took the floor at the annual meeting as a representative of pilots holding IAG shares, to accuse some of the airline group’s managers of waging “a war against the pilots”.
He said that pilots had supported the merger and were now disappointed by management’s confrontational attitude. “We were promised a project of consolidation and growth, of professional development and new opportunities,” he said. “The pilots in the end are the ones who co-ordinate the product.”
Mr Vázquez replied: “I don’t have the feeling that there is a war … We are in a macroeconomic situation that is seriously squeezing us.” He called for a reduction of unit costs and improved productivity.
Iberia has been hit by Spain’s recession during the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and the company’s revenues were further dented by regular pilots’ strikes in recent months until the arbitration ruling. In the first quarter of this year – typically a weak season for airlines – BA reported an operating loss of £62m, while Iberia lost €170m.
EasyJet, a big rival to Iberia in Spain, announced this week that it would cut its Spain flights by 7 per cent and stop basing aircraft and employees in Madrid later this year because of poor returns.
Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, did not hide his frustration with the Spanish side of the business, telling the meeting that the Iberia pilots’ actions were “selfish” because they prevented the creation of new jobs and undermined existing ones.
“Our duty is to bring Iberia back into profitability,” he said. “The basic fact is their current cost structure is not competitive and will require deep and permanent structural change to make it a viable business.”
Other shareholders had a range of complaints, including the lack of dividends, and expressed fears that Iberia would lose its “Spanishness” in a British-dominated company. One asked whether future meetings would be held in English in Gibraltar.
By Victor Mallet in Madrid
Spain’s flag carrier Iberia, which joined with British Airways last year to form International Airlines Group, will challenge an arbitration ruling that was supposed to resolve a bitter dispute with its 1,400 pilots, according to Antonio Vázquez, IAG chairman.
He told the group’s annual general meeting in Madrid on Thursday that Iberia would launch a challenge to the ruling on Friday because the arbitrator had exceeded his mandate “in taking a decision that will negatively affect the ability of managers to achieve an appropriate cost base for the business”.
Jaime Montalvo, the arbitrator, ruled last month that Iberia was perfectly entitled to launch its low-cost airline Iberia Express but would have to include all pilots in the same overall pay scale even if working conditions in the two parts of the company were different.
Justo Peral Cabrera, chairman of the pilots’ union Sepla, took the floor at the annual meeting as a representative of pilots holding IAG shares, to accuse some of the airline group’s managers of waging “a war against the pilots”.
He said that pilots had supported the merger and were now disappointed by management’s confrontational attitude. “We were promised a project of consolidation and growth, of professional development and new opportunities,” he said. “The pilots in the end are the ones who co-ordinate the product.”
Mr Vázquez replied: “I don’t have the feeling that there is a war … We are in a macroeconomic situation that is seriously squeezing us.” He called for a reduction of unit costs and improved productivity.
Iberia has been hit by Spain’s recession during the eurozone sovereign debt crisis and the company’s revenues were further dented by regular pilots’ strikes in recent months until the arbitration ruling. In the first quarter of this year – typically a weak season for airlines – BA reported an operating loss of £62m, while Iberia lost €170m.
EasyJet, a big rival to Iberia in Spain, announced this week that it would cut its Spain flights by 7 per cent and stop basing aircraft and employees in Madrid later this year because of poor returns.
Willie Walsh, IAG chief executive, did not hide his frustration with the Spanish side of the business, telling the meeting that the Iberia pilots’ actions were “selfish” because they prevented the creation of new jobs and undermined existing ones.
“Our duty is to bring Iberia back into profitability,” he said. “The basic fact is their current cost structure is not competitive and will require deep and permanent structural change to make it a viable business.”
Other shareholders had a range of complaints, including the lack of dividends, and expressed fears that Iberia would lose its “Spanishness” in a British-dominated company. One asked whether future meetings would be held in English in Gibraltar.