LISBON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua)
-- A strike by Portugal's airline TAP cabin crew has grounded 28 flights
at Lisbon airport since midnight, according to airport management
company ANA-Aeroportos de Portugal on its website on Sunday.
The
24-hour strike by cabin crew, the second of its kind in less than a
month, started at midnight on Friday and has so far led to cancellation
of 16 outbound flights and 12 inbound flights to and from Lisbon
airport, ANA said. Another 24-hour strike is scheduled for Dec. 2.
A
source from the state-owned airline told Portuguese news agency Lusa
that the strikes cost the airline around 5 million euros (6 million U.S.
dollars) per day and affected "TAP's reputation and image."
ANA
noted that most of the flights affected were domestic routes, although
some international flights, mainly to and from Europe were also
cancelled.
Cabin crew are demanding compliance with a labor and
pay agreement signed in 2006 by the airline with the National Union of
Civil Aviation Flight Staff (SNPVAC).
Portugal is attempting to
sell up to 66 percent of flagship air carrier TAP, following a decision
by the council of ministers on Nov. 13. The government's priority is to
recapitalize the airline and make it grow as it has estimated
liabilities of 1 billion euros.
The concession has been
re-launched after TAP stalled a deal last year, rejecting an offer from
Group Synergy, led by Brazilian investor German Efromovich, because it
didn't meet necessary banking requirements.
- Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com
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