Iberia is cancelling some 1,370 flights this week as workers began a second round of strikes yesterday (Monday 4th March) to protest against the loss-making company’s plans to lay off almost a fifth of its workforce. The Spanish Government has ordered that a minimum amount of services should remain, meaning 85% of long-haul flights, 62% of medium-haul and 47% of domestic flights are guaranteed. 
Most of the cancelled flights are to destinations in Spain and Europe.
Unions representing most Iberia workers, but not pilots, called strikes between 18th – 22nd February, 4th – 8th March, and 18th – 22nd March. A demonstration will be held at Madrid’s Barajas Airport later today (Monday).
International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways and Iberia, lost €923 million last year on restructuring costs and writedowns on the value of Iberia.
Iberia said last month that it planned to cut 3,807 jobs.
