Icelandair warns strike could disrupt flights and Icelandic economy

Icelandair has warned that an indefinite strike by its aircraft engineers could quickly halt the airline’s flight schedule and have broad effects on Icelandic businesses and society, mbl.is reports.

The Federation of Icelandic Aircraft Engineers is holding a vote on industrial action today and over the weekend. If engineers vote in favour, the strike would begin in about 10 days.

Icelandair said a strike of this scale would cause major disruption, particularly because September is a peak travel month. The airline operates an average of about 110 scheduled flights a day and carries roughly 15,000 passengers daily, according to the statement.

The company said the action would come on top of challenges it has already faced in its operating environment, including very high fuel prices.

Icelandair said it had already submitted a contract offer and could not go further, while claiming that the union’s demands were far beyond what is customary in society.

The airline said it plays an important role in Iceland’s infrastructure and international connections. A strike would affect thousands of passengers, as well as Icelandic tourism, export industries and companies that depend on reliable air transport.

The engineers have been without a collective agreement since the start of the year. Their union’s chair has described the proposed action as an emergency measure.