At least 224 EgyptAir pilots submit their resignations in protest of low salaries

In an unprecedented act of protest against their working conditions, long hours, and low salaries, at least 224 pilots from the state-owned EgyptAir Company have submitted their resignations since Tuesday. 

Some estimates suggest that the total number of these collective resignations has increased to at least 250 pilots, as of Wednesday.

Until now, EgyptAir officials claim that these resignations have not resulted in any serious disruptions of flights, with the exception of one delayed flight.

Negotiations between EgyptAir’s financial and legal affairs department, on the one hand, and pilots’ associations, on the other hand, are reportedly still ongoing.

Privately owned Al-Watan published a copy of the pilots’ collective resignation notice, which specifies the chief grievance behind their protest actions as “deteriorating salaries.” This notice adds, “The pilots at EgyptAir receive the lowest salaries in the world. It is for this reason that we are submitting our collective resignations.”

Dated May 5, this statement concluded that the resigned would, “Seek employment at any other company or airline which recognizes the value and utility of its pilots.”     

EgyptAir’s media spokespersons could not be reached for comment. The company’s official website and Facebook page did not have any information regarding these resignations.

A pilot employed at this official state carrier, whose name is being withheld upon request, told Mada Masr, “EgyptAir pays its pilots some of the lowest salaries and bonuses of any airline, and perhaps the lowest worldwide.”

The unnamed pilot added, “On average, national and international airlines provide their pilots with three times the salaries that EgyptAir pays.”

This pilot went on to say that he has not yet submitted his resignation, however.

“These collective resignations are merely a pressure card that disillusioned pilots are playing. I haven’t resigned myself as I’m still hoping for positive results from the ongoing negotiations,” he explained.

The pilot pointed out, “While some expect that EgyptAir will accept these resignations, such a collective walkout could hit the company hard.”

The unnamed pilot clarified that while air stewards/stewardesses and other airline staff may easily be replaced and others trained to take their place, “the replacement of pilots is far more difficult, as it may take up to five years to train their replacements.”

He dismissed other claims that the Egyptian Air Force might use its own pilots to act as replacements. “This might work in the short term, but is not sustainable for either the Air Force or for EgyptAir.”

The last time EgyptAir pilots engaged in major protests and slow-downs was in mid-June 2013, when over 20 flight were delayed as a result. They had received pledges from company officials for improved salaries back then, but these have not yet materialized.