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UPDATED: Iberia Reinstate Flights as Pilots' Strike Ends

13th July 2006 Iberia have advise TD Business Travel that they plan to gradually reinstate cancelled flights.

After Iberia pilots' union SEPLA called off its strike, Iberia decided that as of Thursday, July 13, it will gradually reprogram the flights it has been obliged to cancel. The airline will reinstate some flights Thursday, and expects that on Friday it will operate a normal flying programme, with very few exceptions.

Further Information:
http://www.iberia.com

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UPDATED: Iberia Pilots Call 7 Day Strike
story issued: Wednesday 12th July 2006
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After the pilots union SEPLA called off its strike, Iberia decided that as of Thursday, July 13, it will gradually reprogram the flights it has been obliged to cancel. The airline will reinstate some flights Thursday, and expects that on Friday it will operate a normal flying programme, with very few exceptions.

Reports in the spanish press have indicated that pilots at the Spanish airline Iberia have agreed to end a three-day-old strike that was forcing the carrier to cancel over 200 flights a day.

The pilots union SEPLA are expected to give details of the decision later in the day, Spanish National Radio said.

The pilots went on strike Monday to protest Iberia's stake in a new low-cost airline, saying that investment would cost them jobs.

The two sides have been meeting daily to discuss pilots' demands that Iberia guarantee their jobs are secure. The stoppage, hitting Spanish airports in the middle of the holiday season, was to have lasted through Sunday

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Original Story Issued: Monday 10th July 2006
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Iberia Pilots Call 7 Day Strike

At least 240 flights were reportedly cancelled today after last-ditch talks failed to persuade pilots that their jobs were not in danger.

Following the strike action called by members of the SEPLA pilot's union, Iberia have released the following statement on their website:

"Because of the strike called by the SEPLA pilots union for July 10-16, Iberia will be obliged to cancel some flights during this period.

The minimum services dictated by the Spanish Transport Ministry ensure all domestic flights to the Canaries and the Balearic Islands, all flights to Africa and the Middle East, as well as nearly all long-haul flights, without neglecting any destination, and about half the medium-range flights within mainland Spain and Europe. More than 77% of the Puente Aereo Madrid-Barcelona shuttle flight will also be operated. The flights by Iberia Regional Air Nostrum (with flight numbers from IB8000 to IB8999) and those operated under code shares (IB7000 to IB7999) will not be affected by this strike.

The flights cancelled for each day of the strike will be listed on the iberia website (www.iberia.com).

Iberia will refund the cost of tickets or change travel dates for customers holding tickets that include an Iberia flight in the July 10-16 period. The deadline for such request is July 31, and the flights on the new tickets issued must take place before December 31, 2006.

Iberia deeply regrets any inconveniences that may be caused to its customers by this action, which we tried to prevent by all the means at our disposal.

All Iberia's staff will provide whatever assistance we can, and seek alternatives for affected passengers, although the possibilities are limited because of high seasonal demand. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. "

Further Information:
http://www.iberia.com

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