Flights cancelled after Ryanair cabin crew strike

STORY: There was fresh pain for European travellers on Friday (June 24) after Ryanair cabin crew went on strike in Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

Dozens of flights were cancelled as a result.

Unions in the three countries have called a three-day stoppage.

Staff in France and Italy are then expected to walk out over the weekend, while crews in Spain are set to strike again at the end of the month.

Ryanair workers say the budget airline doesn’t respect local labor laws covering issues such as minimum wages.

But Portuguese union chief Ricardo Penarroias says it’s about more than money:

"It's not just discrimination at work. Working conditions are terrible. We usually never deny people a glass of water but at Ryanair, a crew member is not even allowed to take a bottle of water on a flight."

The demands come after surging inflation left people across Europe struggling with the cost of living.

It’s also the latest sign of a chaotic summer for travel.

Airlines and airports across the continent are struggling with a shortage of staff as demand recovers.

And industrial action isn’t limited to Ryanair, which said last week it had agreement with 90% of staff and didn't foresee major disruption.

Pilots and cabin crew at Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels Airlines started a strike on Thursday (June 23).

Workers at British Airways and other carriers are also planning action over the summer.