Pilots reject £12,000 bonus to fix crisis

PILOTS with Ryanair are seeking to exploit the cancellation crisis to get better working conditions.

Last night it emerged they are preparing to reject a £12,000 bonus offered by the airline asking them to work during their holiday. Co-pilots are being offered £6,000.

The refusal raises the prospect of a fresh wave of cancellations, which are happening because of a holiday rota mixup. To qualify for the tax-free bonus pilots have to work one or two blocks of five days.

The airline has stipulated they will have to wait until November 2018 to collect the money, in an attempt to stop pilots quitting. Hundreds are said to have left for other companies in recent months.

But Ryanair pilots across Europe are set to refuse the offer in protest over working conditions. In a draft letter they said they will not work beyond their contract terms.

Airlines rely on being able to summon pilots to work on their days off or during their holidays to minimise cancellations. But the letter claims many would not qualify for the payout and states: ‘The continued erosion of the pilots’ terms and conditions over the past ten to 15 years has to be not only stopped but reversed.’

One senior Ryanair pilot said: ‘Serious flight crew unrest exists with the possibility of crew action against company.’

Ryanair said it would not comment on ‘rumours’.