The Spanish pilots’ union (SEPLA) has called off its strike against Iberia after the government’s announcement that an intermediary will be appointed to find an agreement between the airline and the pilots.
The strikes by SEPLA pilots were planned every Monday and Friday from 9 April until 22 July. The ones that took place in April cancelled about 1,400 flights at the cost of €36 million.
Iberia, which merged with British Airways to form International Airlines Group in 2011, has plans to sell 40 planes to the new low-cost Iberia Express and eliminate about 8,000 jobs.
Iberia Express, which launched at the end of March, will operate some of Spain's domestic connections and short-haul international services left by Iberia on a low cost basis in order to compete with Easyjet and Ryanair.
Iberia Express is offering its pilots less in pay and conditions than they were being paid under the terms of the Iberia contracts.
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