Almost 400 Ryanair flights across Europe have been cancelled today - a sixth of those scheduled - as a result of strike action by the airline’s pilots in five different countries.
Pilots in Germany, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands are staging a 24-hour walkout over pay. The move comes as the Dublin-based airline faces legal claims from unions for allegedly dissuading staff to strike, in violation of labour laws, The Guardian reports.
Ryanair has confirmed that 396 flights across the Continent have been cancelled, forcing passengers to seek alternative routes on what is usually one of the busiest days of the summer for European airlines, says The Independent.
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The airline has described the strike action as “regrettable and unjustified”, and claims that its pilots are “paid more than other budget airlines”.
“We ask the striking unions to continue negotiations instead of calling any more unjustified strikes,” the carrier said.
Despite the walkouts, 85% of scheduled flights will operate as normal, Ryanair added.
Nevertless, this is the largest strike in the airline’s 34-year history. AOL News reports that “Ryanair planes have a capacity of 189, meaning more than 74,000 passengers could be affected”.
If your Ryanair flight is cancelled, you will receive an SMS message or email with further information. Anyone due to travel who has not been contacted by SMS message or email should expect to travel as normal, according to the airline.
The London Evening Standard reports that travellers affected by the cancellations are being offered refunds or transfers to alternative flights where possible. Passengers stuck overnight are “entitled to meals and accommodation until Ryanair can get them to their chosen destination”, the newspaper says.
The airline is under no legal obligation to issue refunds, as strike action is considered an “extraordinary circumstance”.
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