Ryanair pilots vote to strike for 24hrs
Holiday flight misery as cabin crew also threaten action
INDUSTRIAL action by Ryanair pilots is set to cause travel chaos for tens of thousands of travellers next week.
They will strike for 24 hours over July 12 in a dispute over the transferring of staff between the airline’s European and African bases.
And there could be more stoppages over the summer.
Ryanair cabin crew, holding a two-day conference in Dublin today, are also threatening action, while French air traffic controllers are to step up their no-warning weekend strikes.
The Irish Air Line Pilots Association said 99% of its members voted in favour of a stoppage, claiming bosses are not taking them seriously on improving pay and conditions.
IALPA said in a statement: “The pilots will engage in strike action next week for a period of 24 hours, commencing at 01:00 on Thursday, 12th July.
“The union has advised Ryanair that it will notify the airline of additional strike days in due course.”
The Irish Travel Agents’ Association has warned the strike will cause serious disruption in what is one of the busiest times of the year.
Chief executive Pat Dawson said: “Any cancellations at this point will result in major consequences for travellers with booked accommodation and connecting travel plans completely disrupted, leading to additional costs to customers.”
He urged both the pilots and Ryanair to begin talks in a bid to call off the dispute.
Mr Dawson added: “We’d also ask that Ryanair keep customers up to date with any planned cancellations as soon as possible to ease the uncertainty faced by intending travellers.”