Ryanair passengers warned to expect Easter and summer disruption
Ryanair continues to expect flight disruption over Easter and possibly over the peak summer period as it has been unable, so far, to resolve disputes with pilot unions at some of its European bases.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary told a news conference today flights in and out of Ireland and Portugal were likely to be affected.
While Ryanair is ‘very close’ to finalising new agreements with unions in Spain and Italy, he said the airline has not made as much progress in other countries, including Ireland and Portugal.
He added: "We expect some disruptions, possibly over Easter, maybe over the summer period."
Pilot group the European Employee Representative Council (EERC) is calling on O’Leary to step down from the airline, claiming that a large number of pilots continue to leave Ryanair.
However, the airline said the EERC, a body set up last year to fight for improved conditions for pilots, had no legal standing.
Last autumn, Ryanair was forced to cancel thousands of flights due to an error in scheduling pilots’ leave, leading some to claim the airline was short of flight crew. However, it managed to stop strikes over Christmas in the UK by agreeing to recognise the British Airline Pilots Association.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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