The Union of Icelandic Pilots (FÍA) has warned that a record summer for tourism in Iceland is in danger due to a planned strike by Icelandair pilots, mbl.is reports.
“Each day is causing serious losses to the airline, travel industry, export companies and the reputation of the country in general,” a statement from the union reads, adding that the losses could total an estimated ISK 1 billion per day.
According to the union, the planned strikes will affect 600 flights and 100,000 passengers over nine days between May 9 and June 3.
Icelandair canceled 26 flights on Friday, affecting 4,500 passengers, as part of the action. The pilots have rejected a one-year contract with a pay increase of 2.8 percent. The union argues that its members are entitled to reject a pay offer accepted by general workers in the ASÍ (the Icelandic Confederation of Labor) on the grounds that its members are not members of the ASÍ.
A union spokesperson said in a recent interview with visir.is that the dispute is about various areas of the pilots’ contract, and not just about salary.
The union stressed that it hoped that an agreement could be reached as soon as possible and disruptions to air travel avoided.
