Early this morning, Brussels Airlines cabin crew and pilots, joined by union members representing them, gathered near Brussels Airport to protest against the heavy duty rosters and the lack of rest times at home.
Article continues below
The pilots also object that their “cafetaria plan” has not been indexed.
"As announced previously, we are informing all passengers travelling on 23rd, 24th and 25th June of the status of their flight and alternative travel options," the airline said.
"We sincerely regret the impact of these social actions on our customers, at the start of the Summer holidays. On these three days, 533 flights (charters included) were originally scheduled for almost 70,000 passengers.
"As our priority is to provide our customers with clarity about their travel plans as early as possible, we started cancelling a first part of our flight programme already on Sunday 19th June.
"We currently have an intermediate view of the impact of the social action and the willingness to work of our pilots and cabin crew.
"As a result, we plan to keep around 40% of the original flight programme. The cancellations represent around 315 flights of which 38 long-hauls, and impact almost 40,000 passengers.
"We are looking for as many solutions as possible for our customers to rebook them on other flights, within Lufthansa Group and outside. An example of an alternative we offer within Brussels Airlines is that we will operate 3 long-haul aircraft (A330) to cover the need of 4 Nice flights and 6 Rome flights. With this measure we optimally use the available crew.
"Our objective is to have all impacted customers informed by Tuesday 21st June at the end of the day. We continue to closely monitor the situation and stay in contact with the impacted passengers.
"The management of Brussels Airlines remains open to discussions with the trade unions," the airline said. ■
Under an intense surge of arctic air, Friday morning will begin with the coldest temperatures so far this season across much of the central and eastern U.S. with blustery conditions and a piercing wind chill.