Iberian pilots to strike over Christmas period

The Spanish SEPLA airline pilots union have announced that pilots employed by the airline Iberia will strike on 18th and 29th December 2011 over a dispute about the introduction of a low cost Spanish air carrier, Iberia Express. The pilots fear that the new budget airline will employ new staff on lower salaries which will undermine their own jobs.

It is unlikely that flights to and from Mallorca will be affected - during previous strikes, Iberia have honoured all flights to the Balearic Islands. The minimum services that legally need to be provided will be determined by the government and will be announced shortly. Flights operated by Air Nostrum (IB8XXX) and Vueling (IB5XXX) will not be affected.

Iberia is part of the International Airline Group (IAG) which also owns British Airways. IAG plan to launch Iberia Express in the spring of 2012 which will offer no frills short haul flights. The group say that it is needed in order to be competitive with airlines such as Easyjet and Air Berlin.