Flight warning as another TWO airlines threaten to go on strike this summer – joining Ryanair and easyJet
STAFF at two airlines are threatening strikes this summer - leading to fears of further travel disruption.
Cabin crew from Spanish airline Vueling are threatening to walk out in a dispute over wages.
They could be joining pilots from Lufthansa, who voted in favour of industrial action earlier this week.
The German airline flies to ten UK airports, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and London City, Stansted and Heathrow.
More than 97 per cent of the Lufthansa pilots who voted were in favour of industrial action, with their union demanding a pay rise.
Despite the overwhelming support, there is currently no guarantee that a strike will take place just yet, with negotiations continuing.
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Dr. Marcel Gröls, from the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit said the vote had sent an “unmistakable signal to Lufthansa to take the needs of cockpit staff seriously.”
Should they go ahead, the strikes would be the latest in a catalogue of disruption for the airline this summer.
Only last month, a day of ground staff walkouts forced the airline to ground almost all of their flights from Frankfurt and Munich airports.
Those cancellations came after the German airline had to also call off 2,200 flights across Europe due to staff shortages.
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A Lufthansa spokesperson said on Wednesday: “We respect the outcome of the recent VC ballot.
“Lufthansa is continuing to engage in constructive talks with the pilots union VC in order to find a joint solution for our pilots.
"The next meeting dates have already been arranged with the VC.”
Meanwhile, Vueling flight attendants are urging bosses to review their wages, threatening strikes if a deal cannot be reached.
The budget airline connects the UK to Barcelona, Menorca, and Malaga.
However holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer could have their trips disrupted if the walkouts go ahead.
The possible Vueling strikes add further uncertainty to Brits looking to visit Spain this year with both easyJet and Ryanair potentially causing disruption as well.
EasyJet pilots have announced nine days worth of strikes this month, across three different three-day periods.
The first of the strikes will take place from August 12-14, the second from August 19-21 and the third and final strike will be from August 27-29.
The walkouts will affect flights at easyJet's bases at Barcelona, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
EasyJet said they were planning on running a full schedule despite the strikes, but admitted that disruption was expected.
A spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "Should the industrial action go ahead we expect some disruption to our flying programme to and from Malaga, Palma and Barcelona during the strike period but at this stage, easyJet plans to operate its full schedule and we would like to reassure customers that we will do everything possible to minimise any disruption.”
Meanwhile Ryanair cabin crew in Spain will hold strikes for four days a week over the next five months as part of a continued pay dispute.
The walkouts will be held every Monday-Thursday and will begin from August 8, running every week until January 7.
Ten Spanish airports will been affected, including Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, Alicante, Sevilla, Palma, Valencia, Girona, Santiago de Compostela and Ibiza.
An airline spokesperson said: "Recent strikes by USO/SITCPLA have been poorly supported with minimal effect.
"Ryanair has operated over 45,000 flights to/from Spain over the last 3 months with less than 1% affected by crewing and Ryanair expects minimal (if any) disruption this winter."
Strikes last month prompted the government to update their travel advice for Brits thinking about going to Spain.
The Foreign Office advice currently states: "Possible strike action may cause some disruption to flights to and from Spain.
"You should consult your airline for updates prior to travel."
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British Airways pilots are also threatening to strike this summer, which could threaten to ground almost all over their flights.
Airport staff in Portugal are also planning walkouts this summer as part of a dispute over working conditions.
