It was discussed on RÚV earlier today that the Icelandair flight had been canceled at short notice because it was not possible to man a crew for the flight.
Icelandair is in wage negotiations with FÍA and Flugvirkjafélag Íslands, and the first meeting was held with the government conciliator today. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, but the dispute was referred to a mediator in mid-March. Icelandair’s collective agreements with pilots and flight attendants expired on September 30.
“I know that this particular flight was canceled because it lacked pilots,” says Jón Þór Þorvaldsson from FÍA in an interview with Vísi. He does not know where RÚV’s idea comes from that this resignation is related to the wage negotiations.
“There are no operations under way by FÍA,” he says.
“This has nothing to do with the agreements with the flight attendants. Pilots and flight engineers have come to (conciliators), so I think it is likely that it is being referred to, but at least I can say that this did not come from us,” says Berglind Kristófersdóttir, chairman of the Iceland Flight Attendants Association.
The director says it is unwise to cause damage to the company
“We do not believe that this is related in any way because it is so irrational that we, the staff, are causing the company damage and inconvenience to our customers, not least in these times when the conditions are very demanding in flight operations due to the doubling of fuel prices,” says CEO Bogi Nils Bogason in an interview with a news agency.
“So we don’t think that’s the case at least. It would be hugely disappointing if it were, but we don’t think there’s any chance that it’s some sort of concerted plan or anything like that. It’s got to be a fluke.”
Negotiations with flight attendants are going better
Cancellations due to crew shortages are very rare at Icelandair, according to Boga. Passengers who had seats on the flight in question were brought to the end of the route by other routes.
“But of course, the company incurs some costs and inconvenience for the passengers concerned if they don’t leave at the time they planned.”
This incident will not have any incidental impact on other Icelandair flights.
The airline is, among other things, in wage negotiations with the Flight Attendants Association of Iceland, as mentioned earlier. Bogi insists that this conversation is in a better place than with pilots and aircraft mechanics.
“Those talks are in a good place, while things are going slower in the others. But we hope that they will start to move as well.”
Berglind from the Icelandic Flight Attendants Association agrees that it is having a good conversation with the airline’s representative.
