Pilots at TAP Portugal have called off a strike planed for this weekend, following a pay deal with the state-owned airline’s management.

The Civil Aviation Pilots’ Union confirmed the deal would see pilots receive a 1.8 per cent pay increase, with a bonus also possible based on the outcome of efficiency savings.

The flag carrier’s 800 pilots planned to strike between March 26th and 31st. The Portuguese airline has over 1,500 flights scheduled for those days.

However, all TAP flights will now operate according to schedule with immediate effect, the airline confirmed in a statement.

Any TAP customers wishing to rebook original flights can do so free of charge until midnight on March 25th.

Rebooking must be made in the original booking class if available. If not available, the lowest alternative booking class may be used as long as it is in the same cabin.

Following the decision to call off the strike, the airline offered its “sincere apologies for any inconvenience” caused by the threatened industrial action.

TAP Portugal

TAP Portugal was established in 1945 and has been a member of the Star Alliance since 2005. Based in Lisbon, the company’s network comprises 64 destinations in 30 countries worldwide.

TAP currently operates an average of 1,850 weekly flights on a modern fleet of 72 Airbus aircraft.

The airline was recently recognised by the World Travel Awards, named as the World’s Leading Airline to South America in 2009.

More information at TAP Portugal.