Austrian Airlines Strike: Flight Crew Walkout Disrupts Flights

Over 400 flights scheduled to be operated by Austrian Airlines are currently cancelled as a
result of failed negotiations between the Vida Union, together with the Works Council for
Cabin Crew.

This flight cancellation is expected to last from 28 March at 12am Local time until 29 March, 12pm, lasting 36 Hours. From FlightRadar24at the time of publication, only 3 flights are in the air, namely OS46 (Male – Vienna), OS76 (Shanghai – Vienna) and OS16 (Bangkok – Vienna).

In a statement, Austrian Airlines assured affected travellers that they will be rebooked on the
next available flight. Guests can choose to reject a flight change, cancel their flight, and
request a refund.

It is also possible to independently rebook or cancel flights to flights operated by airlines within the Lufthansa Group for free on their website. Travellers are also urged to check their flight status and make alternative arrangements if necessary.

This strike comes as a response to ongoing negotiations between the airline and the union
regarding a pay raise for its members, and talks have stalled after a total of 17 negotiation
rounds, with no progress made since last Sunday.

A final offer made by Austrian airlines for a salary increase of up to 18% for flight attendants and pilots, and up to 28% for co-pilots have been refused by the Vida Union and the Works Council. As a last resort to express their discontent with this situation, the strike aims to draw attention to their situation, together

with putting pressure on the management of Austrian Airlines to address their grievances.
As this is during the busy Easter Travel Period, a larger number of families would likely be
affected by the 36 hour disruption.

A quick look at the Austrian Airlines’s social media accounts shows the discontent by their passengers with Austrian Airlines’ management of this situation, such as the inability to contact anyone from Austrian Airlines.

This strike comes after German airline Lufthansa and Verdi, a union which represents
ground staff, had reached an agreement on employee salaries averting the threat of Easter
Holiday strikes.