• 

  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

As many Europeans prepare for their Summer holidays, some might be facing travel disruptions as Spanish cabin crew working for Irish airline Ryanair prepare to strike in the coming weeks. Crew are demanding better working conditions and pay. Ryanair claimed that disruptions would be "minimal".

Crews demands

In a statement, USO and SICTPLA unions said that the crew would strike for 12 days over the summer. The striking days are July 12-15, 18-21, and 25-28 across the 10 Spanish airports where Ryanair operates.

"The unions and crew of Ryanair ... demand a change of attitude from the airline," said the unions, urging the airline to resume negotiations on matters including minimum wage.

Currently, the Irish low-cost carrier is facing strikes by cabin crew in Belgium, Portugal, and France. However, Ryanair said less than 2% of its flights were impacted during the duration of the strikes.

The airline also said "minimal (if any) disruption to its flight schedules in July as a result of minor and poorly supported Spanish labor strikes".

Air Traffic Control strikes across the European continent add to Ryanair's mounting pressure. In a statement, the carrier said, "Air Traffic Control (ATC) strikes, and airport staff shortages across Europe (which are beyond Ryanair's control) may, however, cause some minor disruption and passengers whose flights are disrupted... will be notified by email/SMS."

A few weeks ago, Ryanair also faced disruption as a French ATC Centre in Marseille went on strike. French strikes happen almost every year, resulting in countless flights canceled.

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Other airlines facing pressure

Ryanair is not the only airline in Europe facing strikes. Its British counterpart, easyJet, is also expecting strikes. easyJet cabin crew based in Spain are expected to strike for nine days this month. A similar situation with Ryanair.

Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport workers in France walked out on strike from Friday until Saturday. As a result, 10% of flights were canceled.

Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus is also facing pressure on its network in Ireland as COVID-19 is rampant. The airline has been forced to cancel many flights from its hub in Dublin, leaving holidaymakers stranded and without a holiday.

Likewise, at Dublin Airport, the airport authority is looking at the Irish Army to come in and help with the ongoing issue of long queues. Something which security workers at the airport are against and said they would not train anyone to work at the security checks.

A need for workers

July is the height of the Summer Season in Europe. Many Europeans have booked flights to popular destinations in sunny parts of the continent like Italy, France, Portugal and Spain. After two years of intense lockdowns, a significant demand for flights abroad exists.

Ryanair needs cabin crew to keep aircraft in the sky and sell seats. In May of 2022, Ryanair recorded 15.4 million passengers on its network, an increase of 13.6 million the year previous.

Ryanair is Europe's number one airline for holidaymakers. Its low fares and no-frills policy make it attractive for people who want to go abroad on holidays. Not having cabin crew is a significant loss for the airline.

What do you think of the strikes? Have you been affected by flight cancellations recently? Let us know in the comments below.