Quantcast

Strikes disrupt commercial aviation amid inflation concerns

Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Strikes disrupt commercial aviation amid inflation concerns
Policy
Webp ymhfjf407emv9o42iza31o4oyd1u
Justin Foster Private Aviation Journalist | Simple Flying

Strikes due to high inflation, cost of living, and protecting rights are causing significant travel disruptions in the commercial aviation sector. Flight delays and cancellations have become common during these strikes, affecting both passengers and airlines. Flight attendants and pilots are demanding better pay and working conditions, leading to protests and strikes.

Last year, extreme weather events, staffing issues in some air traffic control towers, and strikes caused widespread travel disruption. Since the pandemic, airline delays have worsened due to staffing shortages. As air travel experiences a resurgence, potential strikes remain a critical consideration for travelers.

WestJet recently reached a deal with mechanics to end a strike after contentious bargaining. Effective June 30, 2024, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) withdrew from the strike and resumed talks with WestJet for the first time since June 27.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The underlying reasons for these strikes include high inflation, rising cost of living, and efforts to protect workers' rights and working conditions. In 2023, flight delays and cancellations were exacerbated by regular strikes across the UK and Western Europe involving airline staff, air traffic controllers, security personnel, and baggage handlers. These strikes posed challenges for flight planning and scheduling.

Airlines often receive early warnings about their own staff's strikes but can be affected by airport or other external strikes as well. This can force them to cancel additional flights at the last minute to comply with reduced capacity requirements.

These flight delays and cancellations significantly impact passengers who are often not eligible for full compensation. Airlines are generally obligated to provide care and alternative flight arrangements during strike actions but not necessarily further financial compensation unless under EU or UK law where direct strike action by their staff may qualify.

In February this year, thousands of flight attendants across three unions picketed in front of 30 US, UK, and Guam airports demanding fair contracts with significant pay increases. According to the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), new agreements are overdue. This historic action saw 100,000 flight attendants at 24 airlines currently in contract negotiations protest in unison.

Flight attendants have faced unruly passenger behavior and short staffing as the industry returns to profitability post-pandemic. At several US airlines including American Airlines Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., Southwest Airlines Co., flight attendants seek new contracts focusing on boarding pay among other concerns. Delta is the only major airline that has offered half pay during boarding starting in 2022.

“Delta management announced this evening that Flight Attendants will be paid for boarding,” stated AFA representatives. “It seems they are feeling the heat.”

Flight attendants perform life-saving work daily from responding to medical emergencies to de-escalating conflicts or fighting fires.

Pilots’ demands for higher pay and better schedules have also led to labor disputes recently. On June 29th hundreds of Aer Lingus pilots participated in an eight-hour strike at Dublin Airport over pay disputes causing significant traffic disruption around the airport resulting in cancellation of about 120 flights affecting approximately 17 thousand passengers.

Overall unrest within commercial aviation due primarily due labor demands along side other factors like extreme weather & pandemic recovery highlights how essential roles such as those performed by both pilots & flight attendants face ongoing negotiation challenges even while ensuring safety & operational continuity remains priority amidst industry dynamics evolving continuously post-pandemic era

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Air India has announced the launch of daily non-stop flights between Delhi and Tokyo Haneda, commencing on June 15, 2025.

May 5, 2025

Allegiant Air announced a limited-time promotion on May 1, 2025, offering Allways Rewards members up to $50 off bookings of $200 or more with promo code LOVEALLWAYS.

May 5, 2025

Airlines for America announced its gratitude to President Donald J. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for their commitment to modernizing the U.S. air traffic control system.

May 5, 2025

Finnair has announced the cancellation of approximately 100 flights on May 5, 2025, due to industrial action by the Finnish Aviation Union at Helsinki Airport.

May 5, 2025

EVA Air has announced its participation in the 2025 Taiwanese Heritage Night at Angel Stadium, where it will offer giveaways and a chance to win a free trip to Taiwan.

May 5, 2025

Copa Airlines has announced a new codeshare partnership with Volaris, aimed at enhancing connectivity between Mexico and Latin America.

May 5, 2025