Ryanair pilots plan another strike end of July

Ryanair pilots are planning another strike, for the weekend of 23 and 24 July, according to reports from francophone media.

“The reasons are the same: non-compliance with Belgian legislation, and the contemptuous and arrogant attitude of Ryanair's management, which has worsened since the strikes of 24, 25 and 26 June,” said CNE union secretary Didier Lebbe. 

“Wages for the month of June were not indexed, when they should have been. The climate has worsened since the last strike, while tempers should have calmed down to allow for peaceful negotiations.”

The workload of pilots and flight attendants has increased with the recent recovery in travel demand, and Lebbe said staff are “tired already just by looking at their schedules.”

Criticism aimed at Ryanair boss O'Leary

Trade unions also denounced the absence of a human resources department based in Belgium and familiar with Belgian social legislation, and Lebbe lashed out at Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary for boasting in a recent press release that the company only had to cancel 25 flights since the beginning of the summer. 

“On a single day of strike, that was 450,” Lebbe said. “It's a shame that Europe's biggest airline is acting like this. It is unacceptable.”

Flights could be cancelled as a result of the upcoming strike, in which French pilots are also expected to participate. Previous actions received support from cabin crew staff as well, resulting in major delays at Brussels Airport and Charleroi, where the union says all Ryanair planes were grounded. 

The list of cancelled flights for the next strike is not yet available, but disruptions are again expected.

Airlines are obligated to inform travellers of flight cancellations and consumers whose flights are cancelled due to the strike are normally entitled to an alternative flight or a refund. The proposed alternative flights can be short- or long-term.

In addition to the possible reimbursement of the flight ticket or its replacement by an alternative flight, travellers are entitled to further compensation under certain conditions, including if they arrive at their destination with a delay of over three hours.

If an airline refuses to modify or refund the ticket, travellers can contact FPS Mobility to file a complaint.

They can also turn to the Consumer Mediation Service (in case of problems with Belgian companies) or the European Consumer Centre (in case of problems with foreign companies) for settlement; however, consumers may lose their right to compensation or reimbursement when they seek a solution themselves.