Ryanair pilots threaten a summer of walkouts

IRISH Ryanair pilots have voted to strike in a move that could spark further protests over the summer.

They plan to walk out for 24 hours at 1am on Thursday 12 July, the start of the traditional holidays in Northern Ireland.

The biggest effect on UK travellers is likely to be on Irish Sea services from Dublin, Cork and Shannon to British airports.

Thousands of holidaymakers are likely to be affected as flights are cancelled.

Members of the Irish Airline Pilots Association, which orchestrated the strike, are disputing over seniority pay and annual leave, as well as arrangements for transferring flight crew between bases.

They claim the lack of a transparent system can have ‘a devastating effect on family life’.

Staff have also threatened a ‘summer of industrial action’ if their demands are not met.

Ryanair said it was ‘disappointed’ by the strike, which it described as ‘unnecessary’.

It said it would alert passengers by email or text message next week if the strike goes ahead as planned.