Strike at Spain's Iberia express amid rising inflation
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The strike, which will last from August 28 to September 6, is set to affect more than 17,000 passengers, according to a USO union spokesperson.
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Iberia Express, Spain's low-cost carrier (Archive)
Iberia Express, Spain's low-cost carrier, canceled eight domestic flights on Sunday as cabin crew began a 10-day strike for higher wages amid rising inflation.
The walkout, which will last from August 28 to September 6, is expected to result in 92 cancellations, affecting more than 17,000 passengers, according to a Spanish trade union (USO) union spokesperson.
The strike comes as Spain's airline industry is grappling with rolling strikes by employees at budget rivals EasyJet and Ryanair.
A USO statement said that by midday (1000 GMT), eight flights had been canceled but there had been no delays, affecting 1,500 passengers.
Iberia Express confirmed eight "preventative cancellations," saying in a statement that it had arranged alternative flights or transportation for 84% of affected passengers, with the remaining passengers opting for a refund or vouchers.
Furthermore, the airline announced on Friday that it would cancel 24 domestic flights during the first three days of the strike, affecting approximately 3,000 passengers.
It did not say how many more flights would be canceled after those initial dates.
The USO and the Independent Union of Airline Passenger Cabin Crew (SITCPLA) unions are requesting a pay increase to account for inflation, which reached 10.8 percent in July.
It is worth noting that Iberia Express connects Madrid to approximately 40 cities throughout Europe. Meanwhile, IAG owns Iberia, Spain's national carrier, as well as British Airways and Aer Lingus in Ireland.
