Frustration is high among travelers affected by the pilot strike that continues on Monday and Tuesday. As a band-aid, SAS is expanding the options to rebook or cancel tickets through May 5, even for non-cancelled flights.
”"Your trip will be fully refunded," says press manager Freja Annamatz.
The infected conflict between SAS and the airline's pilots has put large parts of traffic out of action. Negotiations are deadlocked and the strike continues on Monday and Tuesday with just over 1,200 canceled departures, which are estimated to affect 110,000 travelers.
”"A strike is an extraordinary event outside the company's control, at the same time we do everything we can to rebook and provide cancellation options to customers," comments Freja Annamatz, press manager at SAS.
Travelers who cannot fly home due to the strike will be reimbursed for their expenses on site, she promises.
”For those travelers who are stranded, refunds are available for hotels and meals. Customers will also receive a refund for their tickets if they choose to cancel their trip. Even if you have a rescheduled trip, you can cancel it and get a refund.”
SAS also states that they offer rebooking or cancellation of tickets up to and including May 5.
”"If you choose to cancel your trip, it will be fully refunded, even for non-cancelled flights," she says, advising travelers to form their own opinion about the risk of their flight being canceled.
”"On our website you can see which flights are affected or at risk of being cancelled. Some flights are departing as planned."”
Since the strike began the union and the employer have not spoken to each other.
”"It's not about prestige or who will call first. It's about finding opportunities for constructive dialogue and we won't do that when the pilots remain in their extreme position," says Torbjörn Granevärn, head of negotiations for the employers' organization Swedish Aviation Industry to TT.
The so-called industry mark is a guideline for wage negotiations in Sweden and is currently at 2.3 percent. According to Granevärn, SAS has tried to meet the pilots' demands for greater influence over their schedules, but cannot negotiate wage increases beyond the mark.
On Sunday morning, the situation was still deadlocked, according to Wilhelm Tersmeden, chairman of the SAS section of the Swedish Pilots' Association.
”"No negotiations. Hold meetings with our members," Tersmeden writes to TT.
Torbjörn Granevärn wants to emphasize that the employer sees pilots as an important and professional professional group.
”"They are used to taking responsibility in their professional role, but I would appreciate it if they took some responsibility here too. Both sides need to take responsibility," he says.
How many people who are scheduled to fly in the next week have chosen to cancel their tickets?
”"I don't have any figures for that. But a lot of people are getting in touch, the strike is causing concern among customers. Of those affected, many feel great frustration. We are doing everything we can to make it easier to find alternative transport," responds press manager Freja Annamatz.
Will customers who choose to cancel their trip, or who rebook to other dates, be reimbursed for hotel rooms that cannot be cancelled?
”No, for this, travelers need to review their travel insurance and agreements with other suppliers,” says Freja Annamatz and repeats:
”"We have a responsibility to take care of our passengers and refund costs for hotels and food just like with all types of canceled flights and delays. We contact travelers who are stranded and try to help them get home as best we can," says Annamatz.
Source: TT
