Due to a wage dispute, Austrian Airlines had to cancel more than 100 flights on Tuesday as on-board personnel gathered to discuss the latest wage offer. This has caused further disruption in the European aviation industry during the busy Easter travel season. The company's proposed wage increase is up to 12.3%, according to the Chamber of Commerce in Austria, but worker representatives claim that it only applies to certain employees and that most would receive an average of 8.5%. Approximately 1,200 employees rejected the latest proposal during the meeting at Vienna airport.
A similar gathering earlier this month led to a warning strike that lasted until the early afternoon. In Germany, Deutsche Lufthansa AG grounded flights on Monday due to a similar salary dispute. In France, protesters clashed with police over plans to increase the minimum retirement age, while in the UK, British Airways canceled flights due to protests by Heathrow airport ground staff. Last December, Austria's state-owned railways operator raised wages by an average of 8.9% after a day-long strike.