Ryanair warns 300 Ireland-based pilots and crew of job losses – and blames staff strikes for cuts
The airline said recent strikes have lead to a lack of bookings, while demand in Poland means five planes will be moved there from Dublin
RYANAIR is getting rid of 20 per cent of its fleet of planes based in Dublin, which may mean less flights from the Irish capital in future.
The airline has also issued a notice to the 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew based there, warning them that they face job losses.
Ryanair currently has 30 planes based in Dublin, but this will be cut to 24 “at most” this winter.
A statement from the budget airline announcing the cuts explained that this could mean less flights from Dublin in future.
It said: "We expect few route closures from Dublin, although some routes may suffer frequency reductions."
The airline blamed the cuts on the growth of Ryanair’s Polish charter airline, Ryanair Sun, as well as the recent strikes by pilots and cabin crew, which they say have resulted in fewer bookings.
The statement added: “[The strikes] which have had a negative effect on (close-in) high fare bookings and forward air fares as consumer confidence in the reliability of our Irish flight schedules has been disturbed.”
Ryanair Sun will gain five aircraft through the cuts in Dublin.
The airline said that it has issued pilots and cabin crew in Dublin with letters giving 90 days protective notice that they may be out of a job by October 28 onwards.
It will now begin redundancy consultations and will also be offering crew at Dublin the chance to transfer to Poland.
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Ryanair’s chief operating officer Peter Bellew said: “We regret these base aircraft reductions at Dublin for Winter 2018, but the board has decided to allocate more aircraft to those markets where we are enjoying strong growth (such as Poland).
“[This] will result in some aircraft reductions and job cuts in country markets where business has weakened, or forward bookings are being damaged by rolling strikes by Irish pilots.
“Ryanair operates a fleet of over 450 aircraft from 87 bases across Europe.
“We can only do so if we continue to offer low fares, reliable flight services to our customers, and if our reputation for reliability or forward bookings is affected, then base and potential job cuts such as these at Dublin are a deeply regretted consequence”.
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Sun Online Travel previously revealed that customers have branded Ryanair "embarrassing" over the latest wave of strikes – as passengers support staff walkouts.
Customers who have had a flight cancelled by Ryanair may also be able to claim compensation.
Meanwhile, cabin crew are on strike today and tomorrow, with 600 flights cancelled as a result by the airline.