Ryanair has revealed the latest news on the potential “disruptions” of a strike by pilots which had the potential to cause end of summer chaos in September. Earlier this year, pilots for the Irish budget firm voted to stage a series of walkouts in a dispute over pay. This was confirmed by pilots union BALPA, with the first spate of strikes over the Bank Holiday weekend. Ryanair released a new statement confirming the strikes next month will continue.
Yet, in news set to somewhat allay the fears of perturbed passengers, it insisted all routes will “operate as scheduled.”
Michael O’Leary’s firm told the news on Twitter, in a message entitled: “Customer Update – all Ryanair flights to/from UK airports on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th Sept will operate as scheduled.”
A lengthy statement, detailed underneath, gave more hope for travellers and stated: “All Ryanair flights to/from UK airports on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th Sept will operate as scheduled thanks to the efforts of over 95 per cent of our UK pilots who have confirmed that they will work their rosters, and will not support this failed third BALPA strike action.
“We do not expect any pilot strike disruptions to our schedule to/from our UK airports on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th September next.
“On behalf of our customers and their families we wish to sincerely thank all our UK pilots who have not supported this BALPA strike, and have confirmed they will work as rostered to protect the flights and travel plans of our UK customers and their families over the first week of September.
“We have invited BALPA to meet with Ryanair (this week) to resume negotiations, and to call off these unsupported and failed pilot strikes, but BALPA have refused to take these repeated invitations.”
Passengers, though, remained divided over the potential for industrial action, with one taking to Twitter to vent their fury.
They posted: “No Ryanair, never again.
“We will never book our flight with Ryanair again. Possibility of flight cancellation and fear three weeks ahead is just enough to never book with Ryanair again.”
Another was more positive and put: “Thank you Ryanair and huge thanks to the pilots that actually care about their passengers!”
Another added: Thank you, you have made my day.”
One then posted: “Thanks so much Ryanair staff and pilots.
“We are so so grateful to you making this decision. Our children need to get back to start their first day at school on the Tuesday, so to hear that you are not striking is absolutely fantastic.”
Another then surmised: “Well done Ryanair how could anyone support a 100 per cent increase in wages.
“Sack them greedy pilots, it would be much cheaper.”
Express.co.uk has recently reported on the compensation claims passengers may be entitled to if their flight is delated or cancelled due to a strike.
Ryanair’s action comes as strikes by the budget airline in Spain were also confirmed for next month.
