What is the Ryanair strike situation today?
Ryanair staff in the UK and Ireland are walking out in a dispute over pay and working conditions today, August 22, and tomorrow, August 23.
Similar strikes are also scheduled for September 2, 3 and 4, again organised by Pilots’ Union, BALPA.
Yesterday, Ryanair workers in Portugal began a separate strike, and there is industrial action by the budget carrier in Spain planned for later this summer.
The Independent estimates 500,000 passengers will be affected during the two-day August strike.
Did Ryanair fail in preventing the strike at the High Court?
No, Ryanair eased the fears of passengers in Ireland with a High Court ruling yesterday.
The airline stated of the Irish pilots decision: “Ryanair welcomes this morning’s Irish High Court ruling to prevent a small minority of Irish pilots striking on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd August, which will come as a huge relief to thousands of Irish passengers and their families during the last week of the school holidays.
“All Ryanair flights scheduled to depart on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd August from Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports will now operate as normal and passengers should arrive at their departure airport two hours prior to their scheduled departure time.
“Ryanair calls on the FORSA Union, and this small minority of very well paid Irish pilots, to return to Mediation under Mr Kieran Mulvey so that any disputes can be resolved without unnecessarily disrupting the travel plans of thousands of Irish passengers and their families.
“FORSA and this small group of Irish pilots should now explain why – when FORSA have agreed pay increases for Aer Lingus pilots of nine per cent over three years (an average of three per cent p.a.), they are seeking 101 per cent increases for Ryanair Captains who already earn over €172,000 p.a. Small groups of workers, earning six figure salaries should not be threatening to disrupt the holiday travel plans of Ryanair customers and their families (very few of whom earn over €172,000 p.a.)”
Are UK passengers entitled to compensation because of the strikes?
Stuart Lloyd, Travel Expert at Columbus Direct told Express.co.uk of the implications for potentially thousands of Britons who may be left without a flight.
He said: “Many of those heading off on holiday this Bank Holiday weekend will experience severe disruption due to Ryanair’s pilot strikes.
“As Ryanair is a European airline, if you are due to travel during this time and your flight is cancelled, you are protected under European Air Passenger Regulations.
“You have the option to take an alternative flight with the airline to your destination, or cancel your flight and claim a full refund. If the alternative flight Ryanair offer isn’t at the right time for you, Ryanair is legally required to book you on a comparable flight with them or an alternative airline.
“You should not incur any further charges for this.
“If you were given 14 days or less notice of your flight cancellation, you are entitled to compensation.”
What have Ryanair passengers said about the strikes?
One wrote: “Anyone else s***ting bricks over #Ryanair’s possible strike? Or is it just me?”
Another put: “So if the planned strike goes ahead and my flight Friday morning is cancelled how soon will you pay out including compensation so I can re book something for Friday?”
One then tagged the airline’s account and sarcastically quipped: “Oh, there’s strike action?!
“No mention has been made of it on your website. Funny that.”
