Madeira seeks minimum air services during easyJet cabin crew strike
Madeira GuideThe Regional Government says 62 easyJet operations and 11,532 seats could be affected across strike periods in October and December.
Madeira's Regional Government has asked the Portuguese Government to take the region's specific circumstances into account when defining minimum services for an easyJet cabin crew strike scheduled for 2 to 6 October and 19 to 23 December.
The government said it was concerned about continuity of air links between Madeira and mainland Portugal while minimum services have yet to be defined. It asked the Portuguese Government to intervene in the process and to preserve those links as far as possible.
From 2 to 6 October, 34 easyJet operations with 6,324 seats are scheduled on the Lisbon, Funchal, Porto, Funchal and Porto, Porto Santo routes. From 19 to 23 December, 28 operations with 5,208 seats are scheduled on the Lisbon, Funchal and Porto, Funchal routes. Across both periods, 62 operations and 11,532 seats could be affected.
The Regional Government said the October strike coincides with the 5 October holiday, when mobility is greater for both arrivals and departures by residents and visitors. It said the December stoppage falls immediately before Christmas, a period of particular demand that could affect travel by tourists, Madeiran university students, residents temporarily on the mainland and members of the diaspora returning for Christmas.
Citing Madeira's insular condition and the lack of equivalent transport alternatives, the government said air links with mainland Portugal must be safeguarded. It recalled that previous sector strikes had minimum links between Lisbon and Funchal and between Porto and Funchal, and asked for the Porto, Porto Santo connection to be protected on this occasion.
The government also asked for easyJet to be encouraged to minimise cancellations on regional routes and provide timely, adequate reaccommodation for affected passengers. It said minimum services should protect the right to strike while meeting urgent social needs and maintaining the region's territorial continuity.
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Madeira Guide
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