EasyJet's Portugal cabin staff begin five-day strike and threaten more walk-outs

Chaos in the Portuguese airports was avoided on Friday, as EasyJet cancelled 346 flights from and to the country ahead of the strike out of the 508 it would normally have operated during the period

The Portuguese law protecting consumers forces cabin staff to assure 96 flights during the five days. Pic: Gareth Fuller/PA

Almost 100% of Ryanair rival EasyJet’s cabin staff in Portugal walked out for five days on Friday and the union threatens more strikes in the coming months if the company keeps rejecting the raises they demand.

EasyJet's cabin staff in Portugal, a popular European summer holiday destination, called a strike from July 21 to 25, the third so far this year, as the conflict with the company's management over wage hikes to offset the soaring cost of living escalates, said Ricardo Penarroias, the head of the SNPVAC union.