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Carrier’s warning on ‘localised disruption’ as union talks unfold
RYANAIR has reported rising profits but warned of further disruption to flights as it thrashes out deals with unions across Europe.
The Irish carrier celebrated a 12% increase in net profit to €106million in the last three months of 2017.
Revenues rose 4% to €1.4billion while passenger numbers jumped 6% to 30.4 million during a period in which Ryanair was forced to cancel flights after mismanaging pilots’ annual leave.
The debacle, which affected 700,000 travellers, came alongside pilot strike action.
Ryanair has since pledged to increase pilot pay by 20% and beef up its cabin crews, a move that will see staff costs rise by an additional €45million this year.
The firm also agreed to recognise the British Airline Pilots’ Association, the trade union representing pilots.
But Michael O’leary’s carrier warned yesterday: “As we finalise union discussions along similar lines to that agreed in the UK, we expect localised disruptions and adverse PR so investors should be prepared for the same.” The group also pointed to European airline consolidation and bankruptcies – such as Monarch, Air Berlin and Alitalia Michael O’leary
– which, it said, are providing more growth opportunities in the UK, Italy and Germany. Boss O’leary said: “We are pleased to report this 12% increase in profits during a very challenging third quarter. “Following our pilot rostering failure in September, the painful decision to ground 25 aircraft ensured punctuality of operations quickly returned to our normal 90% average. “While union recognition may add some complexity to our business and may cause short-term disruptions and negative PR, it will not alter our cost leadership in European aviation, or change our plan to grow to 200 million traffic per annum by March 2024.”
Rise in passenger numbers despite axing of many flights
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