Swedish pilots strike, passengers stranded

STOCKHOLM - Scores of flights in Sweden were cancelled Wednesday because of a strike by Swedish airline pilots over failed wage talks and plans to change collective bargaining agreements.

Most of the 200 cancellations affected domestic flights, but a sizeable number of international flights operated by carriers including Scandinavian airline SAS and Norwegian Air were also hit.

The labour action was called by the Swedish Airline Pilots Association which represents some 2,000 pilots.

The conflict has centred on moves by a regional carrier, Avia Airlines, to fire its 80 pilots and instead hire freelance pilots on temporary contracts.