Strike set to ground 30 Ryanair f lights

Ireland-to-UK routes affected by pilot union dispute

‘We have done our utmost to avoid it’

RYANAIR will be forced to cancel up to 30 flights between Ireland and the UK tomorrow due to a planned strike by pilots.

All flights between here and the rest of Europe will operate as usual.

The cancellations are due to a strike by Irish-based directly employed pilots at the airline.

Ryanair, which is run by Michael O’Leary, said that up to 30 of 290 Irish flights will be cancelled.

Members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), which is a branch of the union Fórsa, plan to strike in a dispute over transfers, promotion, annual leave and other issues governed by length of service.

‘We regret to advise some Irish customers of a strike by just 94 (27%) of our 350+ Irish pilots on Thursday, July 12,’ said a Ryanair spokesman. ‘We’ve tried to avert this disruption, which is unnecessary given Ryanair pilots and their union Fórsa have received written proposals on seniority, annual leave and base transfers, which are what Fórsa claims are the reasons for this strike, yet Fórsa has rejected 21 separate invitations to meet Ryanair to negotiate these documents.’

Customers on affected flights received notification of the cancellation by text and email yesterday, the company said.

These customers will receive refunds and/or free transfers to alternative flights, it added.

Ryanair also said customers who have not received notification of a cancellation should check in as normal tomorrow.

Management and unions are due to meet at 10am today at Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport.

Ryanair apologised to its Irish customers for ‘these regrettable disruptions which we have done our utmost to avoid’.

Earlier this week, Ialpa issued guidelines to members as to what to expect during tomorrow’s planned 24-hour strike, including the fact they will not be receiving strike pay. It warned that management may seek to break the unity of pilots by engaging in the ‘FUD’ tactic of creating fear, uncertainty and doubt.

Ialpa advised pilots to maintain the highest safety standards at all times, and said only directly employed pilots who were balloted can strike or participate in a picket. It told members it will picket at the airport, with advice to dress smartly in black trousers, a white pilot shirt and black tie. Strike action has spread to other EU countries, with crew in Italy due to hold a 24-hour strike on July 24, and cabin crew in Spain, Belgium and Portugal striking on July 25 and 26.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation has published information on entitlements for passengers affected by flight cancellations. Where a flight is cancelled, Ryanair must offer passengers one of three options: rerouting as soon as possible, rerouting at a later date at your convenience, or a refund. If you choose to be rerouted as soon as possible, Ryanair must provide you with care and assistance while you wait for the alternative flight.