• 

  Ryanair

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  FR/RYR

  Airline Type:

  Low-Cost Carrier

  Hub(s):

  Dublin Airport, London Stansted Airport, Milan Bergamo Airport

  Year Founded:

  1985

  Airline Group:

  Ryanair Group

  CEO:

  Eddie Wilson

  Country:

  Ireland

At the same time as Ryanair is announcing rescue flights for passengers stranded by its competition, it is itself facing disruption. Strike action by Ryanair pilots and cabin crew is planned across Europe for later this week, although the airline's British-based pilots have accepted a new pay deal.

Both Reuters and Bloomberg reported today that the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) had accepted a revised pay deal from Ryanair. A union spokesperson said that BALPA's Ryanair members had voted to accept the new deal, which encompasses post-COVID pay restoration.

The British-based pilots are onboard with Ryanair

When the pandemic really hit in 2020 and Ryanair grounded aircraft, BALPA members voted overwhelmingly to accept temporary pay cuts to avoid job losses. In January this year, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said management had begun discussions with unions across its network about accelerating pay restoration. Without confirming any outcome, he said the deal might result in pay agreements in a year or two.

In May, Ryanair reported a €355 million ($373 million) loss for the year ended March 31 (FY22), compared to a €1.01 billion loss in FY21. Passenger numbers climbed from 27.5 million in FY21 to 97.1 million in FY22, with revenue growing from €1.64 billion to €4.8 billion. While total revenue was up, average ticket prices fell by 27% to €27, with ancillary sales adding €22 per passenger. The airline said it planned to grow FY23 traffic to 165 million passengers, well ahead of its record of 149 million in 2019, with the hope of returning to reasonable profitability.

In response to that, on May 16, BALPA general secretary Martin Chalk said that Ryanair pilots had made big sacrifices to help the company through the COVID crisis. He added that the pilots are pleased they've helped the company to a position where it can make a profit and want to see that acknowledged.

"BALPA is in negotiations with management to end the COVID mitigation measures put in place over the last two years and to see some recognition, from management, of the loyalty and sacrifices the workforce has made."

Today's Reuters reports that a union spokesperson said that "following the intense negotiations, Ryanair put forward a revised offer. BALPA members were balloted and voted to accept the offer." When asked how many pilots had accepted the post-COVID pay deal, a Ryanair spokesperson said more than 70% of its pilots are covered by "newly negotiated agreements," and there are pay agreements in place for all of its pilots. Settling any negotiation is always a positive step, but for Ryanair, battles on many fronts may boil over this week.

Strike action set to erupt in Europe

Ryanair pilots and cabin crew in Belgium, Portugal, France, Spain and Italy are seeking improved pay and conditions. Last week, unions representing workers in various countries said they were planning to strike in Belgium and Portugal from June 24-June 26, France from June 25 to 26, and Italy on June 25. For Spain, they announced plans to strike on June 24-26 and June 30-July 2. Two Belgian unions, the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions of Belgium (ACV) and the Association of Employees, Technicians and Managers (BBTK), said they were forced into action because Ryanair was not respecting Belgian law covering such issues as the minimum wage or pay of cabin staff for certain pre-and post-flight work.

In his inimitable way, O'Leary told an April news conference that was "complete rubbish. We fully comply with Belgian law, and we have labor agreements here with both the pilot unions and the cabin crew unions." Perhaps British Airways, easyJet and TUI Airways might have to offer rescue flights and fares to canceled Ryanair customers this week?

Simple Flying has contacted Ryanair and BALPA for comment and we will update this article with any response.

UPDATE: 2022/06/22 18:30 EST BY MICHAEL DORAN

Comment received from BALPA:

“BALPA has been in negotiation with Ryanair on pay restoration for some time. Following the intense negotiations Ryanair put forward a revised offer. BALPA members were balloted and voted to accept the offer.”

UPDATE: 2022/06/22 18:34 EST BY MICHAEL DORAN

Comment received from Ryanair:

“We welcome this decision from our BALPA represented pilots. This agreement will deliver improvements for our people as we work through Covid recovery and the impact of the Ukrainian invasion. We have now negotiated agreements with 100% of our pilots – 70% of whom are covered by newly re-negotiated agreements.”

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Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg