Amid strike, Ryanair to axe more flights

DUBLIN, Ireland - After the Pilot’s union Forsa declared that talks had not led to any material change, Ryanair pilots staged their second 24-hour strike on Friday.

The budget carrier hit out at workers’ representatives and said on Twitter, “Since Forsa has again failed to answer our call to cancel the 3rd strike by a small minority (25%) of our Irish pilots (who earn between €150,000 and €200,000) we have regrettably cancelled just 16 (5%) of over 290 flights next Tues.”

However, the airline’s plan is set to affect thousands of passengers to and from Ireland.

The airline clarified in a tweet, “All 2,500 affected Irish customers have already been notified and will be readily re-accommodated on other Ryanair flights. It is disgraceful Forsa sits on its hands over two days – without any communication since last Wednesday – while thousands of Irish customers have their holiday plans disrupted.”

Arguing that pilots are denied a provision allowing their length of time with the company to determine promotions, annual leave and transfers from base, Forsa spokesman Niall Shanahan said, “In other airlines it’s governed by seniority – basically, the length of time you’ve served is reviewed. In Ryanair it doesn’t exist.”

Making matters worse for the airline, on Wednesday and Thursday, Ryanair cabin crew are also due to conduct a strike, forcing the airline to cancel up to 600 flights in Europe.

According to reports, around 50,000 travellers flying from airports in Belgium, Portugal and Spain are affected.

The airline said on Twitter that over 85 percent of the affected passengers had been “re-accommodated” or applied for refunds.