easyJet Portugal cabin crew strike disrupts flights, 2 October

WHAT'S HAPPENING

• EasyJet cabin crew based in Portugal are due to strike on 2 October.
• The action is expected to affect easyJet operations at Lisbon, Porto and Faro airports.
• EasyJet cancelled some flights in advance, including services involving London Southend Airport.
• The strike began on 2 October, with easyJet cancelling about 80 percent of affected flights, including services linking Portugal with Manchester, Liverpool and London Southend.
• Reports said easyJet cancelled 443 flights during the five-day cabin crew strike in Portugal.
• easyJet cancelled 443 flights during the five-day cabin crew strike in Portugal.

Sources: Business Travel News Europe · The Sun · Southend Echo

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR CLAIM

A strike by the airline's own employees (pilots, cabin crew, ground staff on its payroll) is not an “extraordinary circumstance”. The Court of Justice held in Airhelp v SAS (C-28/20) that staff strikes are inherent in running an airline, so the airline cannot normally use them to refuse compensation.

Basis: Airhelp v SAS (C-28/20) · Krüsemann v TUIfly (C-195/17)

WHATEVER THE CAUSE, YOU'RE OWED

• Meals and refreshments after 2–4 hours' wait (by flight distance), plus hotel and transfers if you are delayed overnight.
• On cancellation: the choice between rerouting as soon as possible, rerouting at a later date, or a full refund within 7 days.
• If the airline provides no care, keep receipts — reasonable expenses are reimbursable.
• These duties apply even when the disruption itself is extraordinary.