The easyJet crew in Porto consider the operational situation in the city to be "unsustainable" due to staff shortages, and admit to exploring new paths, including a new strike. The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) states that it has been monitoring the situation, which has been dragging on for too long, despite the constant appeals made to the company.
The SNPVAC argues that the company cannot resolve the crew shortage problem because it plans operations with the minimum possible staff and counts FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) numbers incorrectly, which makes it appear that it has enough workers when, in reality, they fall short of what's needed. easyJet, on its part, guarantees that it fully complies with Portuguese labor legislation and refutes the union's allegations.
In August 2024, easyJet crew held a three-day strike, with 200 flights cancelled, for exactly the same reason. The union argues that the primary function of crew members is to ensure flight safety and not to be worried about flight cancellations due to lack of available staff. The SNPVAC criticized that many colleagues needed psychological sick leave due to exhaustion from heavy schedules and constant operational disruption.
The union states that transfers to the Porto base have already begun to be offered, which it considers confirmation that the requests for more staff were correct. "We remain committed to showing the company that this situation is unsustainable, demonstrating that, if nothing changes, other paths may be explored," the statement concludes.
