Negotiations restart over SAS strike
Representatives of the HTF union are to restart negotiations with SAS Scandinavian Airlines on Friday evening to try to end the cabin crew strike that grounded 20,000 passengers on its first day.
Talks between the unions, employers and mediators start at 8pm on Friday.
"We really hope we can resolve this tonight," SAS spokeswoman Ulrika Fager told The Local.
But even if the negotiations are successful, most SAS flights to, from or within Sweden will not be operating on Saturday.
Passengers with tickets for flights on Saturday and Sunday are being told they can apply for refunds.
"We've tried to reach our passengers with help from the media, and have asked them to call their travel agency or SAS sales office," said Hager.
Passengers who had been due to fly on Friday were given the opportunity earlier in the week to rebook their flights or have the cost of their tickets refunded. Ticket holders for Saturday and Sunday are now being offered refunds or alternative flights.
"We are trying to give the best service we can," Fager said.
Some passengers The Local spoke to complained that SAS had not informed them of the strike. Fager admitted that many passengers had not been emailed.
"We've tried to reach as many people as possible. We have emailed Eurobonus card holders. Unfortunately we don't have the possibility to pull out email addresses from all the bookings."
Meanwhile, passengers on domestic flights are being offered bus travel instead. Passengers who remain stranded away from home are being given compensation for food and hotels, "but the customer has a responsibility according to EU regulations to keep down expenses as far as possible," Fager told The Local.
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Talks between the unions, employers and mediators start at 8pm on Friday.
"We really hope we can resolve this tonight," SAS spokeswoman Ulrika Fager told The Local.
But even if the negotiations are successful, most SAS flights to, from or within Sweden will not be operating on Saturday.
Passengers with tickets for flights on Saturday and Sunday are being told they can apply for refunds.
"We've tried to reach our passengers with help from the media, and have asked them to call their travel agency or SAS sales office," said Hager.
Passengers who had been due to fly on Friday were given the opportunity earlier in the week to rebook their flights or have the cost of their tickets refunded. Ticket holders for Saturday and Sunday are now being offered refunds or alternative flights.
"We are trying to give the best service we can," Fager said.
Some passengers The Local spoke to complained that SAS had not informed them of the strike. Fager admitted that many passengers had not been emailed.
"We've tried to reach as many people as possible. We have emailed Eurobonus card holders. Unfortunately we don't have the possibility to pull out email addresses from all the bookings."
Meanwhile, passengers on domestic flights are being offered bus travel instead. Passengers who remain stranded away from home are being given compensation for food and hotels, "but the customer has a responsibility according to EU regulations to keep down expenses as far as possible," Fager told The Local.
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