Vueling & Iberia up on air traffic controllers’ agreement; Air Berlin pilots threaten strike action
The decline in shares was despite a fifth consecutive day of declines in oil prices (-0.2%), to USD75.24 and improved Premium traffic data. According to IATA, Premium traffic rose 24.2% year-on-year within Europe in Jun-2010.
See related report: Premium traffic growth continues; expected to slow following rebound
In key markets, UK’s FTSE and Germany’s DAX both ended the session flat, while France’s CAC (-0.4%) slipped.
Vueling and Iberia up on air traffic controllers’ agreement
Vueling (+2.4%) and Iberia (+0.5%) were up on the confirmation Spain's Aena and USCA signed a new collective agreement for the country’s air traffic controllers. The agreement considers the 12 points raised by the air traffic controllers at the commencement of negotiations and fit them into the legal framework established by Law 9 / 2010 and Royal Decree for working conditions, including activity and rest times.
See related CAPA Profile: Air Traffic Control
Air Berlin pilots threaten strike action
Air Berlin (-0.3%) slipped after pilot union, Cockpit, stated its members plan to launch strike action this month if an agreement is not concluded on wages and benefits, following months of negotiations. 99% of union members at Air Berlin and subsidiary, LTU, gave the union the power to call a strike as early as this week. Pilots are concerned over the airline’s daily changes to schedules and failure to provide a third pilot on long-haul services. The union plans to meet with the airline on 17-Aug-2010 and 18-Aug-2010, as well as in the second week of Sep-2010.
Aer Lingus states cost cutting plan is “vital”
Aer Lingus’ (-3.3%) suffered the day’s biggest decline after senior management condemned cabin crews for voting to reject a vital area of the airline’s turnaround plan the day prior, and praised all staff who have accepted the airline’s cost-savings plans. The airline has told staff that its "greenfield" cost-cutting plan, which aims to reduce annual costs by EUR97 million, will have to be implemented “in full”, as it is “vital” to the viability of the business. Members of the union, Impact, are due to commence industrial action on 25-Aug-2010, when they will revert back to old rosters and ignore any new provisions.
See related CAPA Profile: Airline Costs
Eurofly (-1.6%) continued to decline, despite news it has launched a codeshare agreement with Olympic Air for select services between Italy and Greece. SAS (-1.5%) also declined after gains the day prior. Norwegian (+2.5%) was the day’s biggest gainer.
Europe selected airlines daily share price movements (% change): 16-Aug-2010
Source: Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, Yahoo! Finance & Reuters