Jetstar cancels 10% of its January flights over strikes as airline staff walk out in protest over pay and safety concerns

  • More than 100 flights were cancelled over the weekend after staff stormed out
  • The airline cancelled 54 flights on Sunday because of the nation-wide strike 
  • A strike on Saturday caused the proactive cancellation of more than 40 flights
  • Jetstar said the strikes are 'unjustifiable' and 'cynically timed to hurt travellers' 

By AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

Budget airline Jetstar will cut 10 per cent of its domestic flights as dispute over workers' pay intensifies.

Customers who have already booked will be offered alternative flights or a full refund.

It comes as more than 100 flights were cancelled over the weekend after staff walked out over pay and working conditions. 

Ground crew represented by the Transport Workers Union and the Australian Federation of Air Pilots started industrial action on Friday and continued over the weekend.

Strike action is set to continue with the possibility of disruptions to flights over the Christmas holidays

Strike action is set to continue with the possibility of disruptions to flights over the Christmas holidays

On Monday Jetstar announced it is proactively adjusting its January flight schedule to give passengers as much notice as possible, with the prospect of continued industrial action.  

The airline cancelled 54 flights on Sunday as union staff at the low-budget airline continue rolling strikes across the country.

The Australian Federation of Air Pilots said the union's Jetstar pilots will undertake four-hour work stoppages on Sunday. 

Jetstar workers vote to continued strike action on Friday in a move that caused the airline to cancel more than 100 flights

Jetstar workers vote to continued strike action on Friday in a move that caused the airline to cancel more than 100 flights

A similar strike on Saturday caused the proactive cancellation of more than 40 flights.

The pilots' action comes after baggage handlers and ground staff stopped work on Friday at Sydney Airport, Melbourne's Tullamarine and Avalon airports, and in Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide.

Staff are striking in protest over pay and health and safety concerns they say the airline has not addressed.

Jetstar said the strikes are 'unjustifiable' and 'cynically timed to hurt travellers at the busiest time of the year'

Jetstar said the strikes are 'unjustifiable' and 'cynically timed to hurt travellers at the busiest time of the year'

Jetstar said the strikes are 'unjustifiable' and 'cynically timed to hurt travellers at the busiest time of the year'.

Workers who walked off the job on Friday have pledged to do it again next Thursday should their demands not be met.

The company said customers travelling from December 13 to December 20 can request a full refund prior to flying.

Jetstar

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