12/02/12, 14:25:21 EST

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Strikes by Portuguese national airline pilots expected to disrupt services

iht.com

TAP Air Portugal said a series of pilots' strikes beginning Tuesday would likely cause the cancellation of many flights and advised passengers to change their travel plans if possible.

Services "will be severely disrupted," company spokesman Antonio Monteiro said Monday. He could not predict how many of the flag carrier's about 150 daily flights would operate during the three days of stoppages this week.

The airline's approximately 500 pilots announced they would strike Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They also plan to strike Nov. 5, 7 and 9.

The Civil Aviation Pilots' Union called the strikes over government plans to increase the retirement age for pilots to 65 from 60. The measure is part of a national plan to hike retirement ages that is meant to ensure the financial viability of the country's social security system.

TAP Air Portugal advised ticket-holders to check on the status of their flights before going to the airport.

Transportes Aereos Portugueses SA is part of the Star Alliance airline confederation. It flies to 54 destinations in 25 countries. Last year it carried almost 7 million passengers.

 Printable Version  | published Oct 22, 2007