Ryanair pilots to strike for another seven days in September
Ryanair pilots have announced a further seven days of strike days in the ongoing running spat with the airline over pay and working conditions.
Ryanair pilots who are members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) will strike on 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 September.
Read more: Ryanair flights continue as normal as pilots kick off three-day strike
Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “We are clear that we want to settle the dispute and bring about a change in Ryanair for the better.
“While this action has considerably disrupted Ryanair, forcing them to engage contractors and bring in foreign crews to run its operation, it has had limited impact on the public’s travel plans.
“Ryanair should stop dragging its feet and get back to the negotiating table.”
A Ryanair spokesperson said: “These latest Balpa strikes are pointless given that during five days of Balpa strikes (22,23 Aug & 2,3,4 Sept) all Ryanair flights to/from UK airports operated as scheduled – with zero cancellations – thanks to the efforts of over 95 per cent of our UK pilots who flew as rostered and did not support these failed Balpa strikes.
“We again call on Balpa to return to talks as these failed strikes have not achieved anything.”
The Balpa pilots are striking over issues such as pensions, licence insurance, maternity benefits and allowances.
They have already carried out industrial action in August and today marks the final day of their September strike action, which began on Monday.
Read more: Ryanair loses court bid to stop pilot strikes
During this week’s strikes Ryanair has operated a normal schedule.