The Irish carrier is facing industrial action in several EU countries after recognising unions for the first time in December.
Ryanair’s passengers are facing more flight cancellations and disruption after the low-cost airline’s German pilots voted to strike over a pay dispute.
The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union said 96% of the airline’s pilots in Germany voted for industrial action.
The union is giving the Irish carrier until 6 August to make an offer to avoid a strike, VC said. It will give 24 hours’ notice before it calls a strike.
“Ryanair has been playing for time in the negotiations since January,” VC said. “If the signal given by this vote is not taken seriously, then strikes – such as in other European countries – are inevitable.”
Last week, the Irish carrier cancelled more than 600 flights, affecting more than 100,000 passengers, as it faced disputes by pilots and crews in Ireland, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
It also threatened to move aircraft and jobs out of Ireland after pilots walked out for the third day of strikes.
Forsa, the union representing Irish pilots, responded by calling another strike on 3 April and warned more would follow.
Ryanair said up to 3,500 passengers booked on Friday’s cancelled flights had been re-accommodated or refunded.
Chief operations officer Peter Bellew said: “The 20 cancelled flights next Friday cannot be recovered even if this unnecessary (4th) strike is called off.”
“We hope Forsa will accept our invitation to meet either next Saturday (4th) or any day the following week, as long as no more strikes are called while we meet, and no Aer Lingus pilots are involved in these negotiations.”
News Sources: Sky News