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SAS pilot walkout leaves thousands stranded SAS pilot walkout hits thousands more passenger
(2 days later)
Scandinavian airline SAS has cancelled hundreds of flights globally leaving thousands of passengers stranded after pilots in Norway, Sweden and Denmark went on strike. Scandinavian airline SAS has cancelled hundreds of Sunday flights as a pilot strike continues, disrupting tens of thousands of passengers.
SAS said 673 flights would be cancelled on Friday affecting 72,000 passengers. Pilots went on strike on Friday in a wage dispute, grounding around 70% of the airline's flights and hitting some 170,000 people over the weekend.
It said it was "deeply regretful" about the negative impact on customers. "We deeply regret that our customers are affected by the ongoing pilot strike," SAS said in a statement.
Some 64,000 passengers will be hit on Sunday as 587 flights are cancelled.
'Real will'
"We believe the unions have to face reality and resume talks," Torbjoern Lothe at the Norwegian Confederation of Enterprise, an employers' association involved in the negotiations with the unions last week, told Reuters.
One of two SAS pilot unions in Norway, Norsk Pilotforbund, said it had had no contact with the airline.
And Rawaz Nermany, chairman of the Swedish Airline Pilots Association, said: "We are waiting for SAS to get in touch and show a real will to discuss the issues that are important to us."
Pilots in Norway, Sweden and Denmark went on strike.
A total of 670 flights were cancelled on Friday, affecting 72,000 passengers, SAS has said. And cancellations on Saturday affected 34,000 more people.
The pilot walkout comes after negotiations over pay and work schedules - which began last month - broke down.The pilot walkout comes after negotiations over pay and work schedules - which began last month - broke down.
Most domestic, European and all long-haul flights have been cancelled. The strike does not affect flights operated by SAS partners, which make up approximately 30% of all departures.Most domestic, European and all long-haul flights have been cancelled. The strike does not affect flights operated by SAS partners, which make up approximately 30% of all departures.
Customers who have a flight booked, are advised to check if their flight is affected by the strike.Customers who have a flight booked, are advised to check if their flight is affected by the strike.
'Negative consequences''Negative consequences'
SAS said it wanted to "reach an agreement to end the strike as soon as possible", but warned if the pilots' requirements were met it would have "very negative consequences" for the airline. SAS has said it wants to "reach an agreement to end the strike as soon as possible", but warns if the pilots' requirements were met it would have "very negative consequences" for the airline.
Pilots are trying to secure a 13% wage increase. They currently earn an average of 93,000 Swedish crowns (£7,500) a month.Pilots are trying to secure a 13% wage increase. They currently earn an average of 93,000 Swedish crowns (£7,500) a month.
The SAS Pilot Group, a union representing 95% of the airline's pilots in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, said work schedules, and not wages, were the main focus of the negotiations.
"Many SAS pilots have no control over when and how long they have to work. In a worst case scenario, they risk having to work seven weekends in a row," the pilots' trade body said in a statement.
The pilots' walkout comes against a backdrop of tough business conditions for SAS. It is currently in the middle of renewing its aging plane fleet and faces rising competition from budget carriers such as Norwegian, Ryanair and Easyjet.The pilots' walkout comes against a backdrop of tough business conditions for SAS. It is currently in the middle of renewing its aging plane fleet and faces rising competition from budget carriers such as Norwegian, Ryanair and Easyjet.
The airline reported a bigger-than-expected loss for its first quarter in February, but said it still expected to record a profit for the year.The airline reported a bigger-than-expected loss for its first quarter in February, but said it still expected to record a profit for the year.