Swiss Pilots union strikes, 34 flights cancelled

ZURICH, Sep 26 (Reuters) A pilots' union at airline Swiss launched a one-day strike involving short-haul Avro airliners flying European routes today, forcing the cancellation of 34 flights.

Swiss -- controlled by German airline Lufthansa -- said in a statement the strike had begun at 0900 IST and that it expected flight delays and cancellations throughout the day.

Swiss Pilots Association, one of two pilots' unions at Swiss, voted to go on strike yesterday after the airline failed to meet its demands for improved salary and benefits.

The pilots want their salaries brought closer into line with colleagues flying long-haul flights.

On Friday, the union said it gave Swiss an ultimatum to lift pay and benefits for its 260 members by yesterday evening.

A larger union, Aeopers, representing around 750 pilots on long-haul flights, was not affected by the action.

The airline said Swiss Pilots Association had ''abandoned the option of dialogue unexpectedly and without putting detailed demands on the table.'' REUTERS SP VC1145