Croatia Airlines complained in a statement yesterday that trade unions are pushing it into financial ruin with claims that safety and security standards are at risk. The statement said safety and security is a key to success of any airline, and never in its history has Croatia Airlines recorded a single serious security incident. Representatives of the striking unions told a news conference yesterday that they had almost no financial claims towards the management, and that their demands are not related to benefits but rather to deteriorated safety standards.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure Zdenko Antesic said that the demands of the trade unions are unjustified and that the unions will have to resolve their problems in negotiations with the airline's management.
A day-long strike yesterday by three trade unions active in Croatia Airlines forced the airline to cancel 51% of flights. The direct damage caused by the strike was estimated at €200,000. Flights resumed this morning.