Iberia to cancel 1,300 flights amid strikeMarch 4, 2013 - 17:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Spanish airline Iberia has said some 1,300 flights will be cancelled this week as workers begin a second round of strikes in protest at the loss-making company's plans to lay off almost a fifth of its workforce, Belfast Telegraph reported. The government has ordered that a minimum service should remain, meaning that 85% of long-haul flights, 62% of medium-haul and 47% of domestic flights are guaranteed. Unions representing most Iberia workers, but not pilots, called strikes between February 18 and 22, March 4 and 8 and March 18 and 22. A demonstration will be held at Madrid's Barajas Airport on Monday. International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways and Iberia, lost 923 million euros (£799 million) last year on restructuring costs and writedowns on the value of Iberia. Iberia last month said it planned to cut 3,807 jobs. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |