Yahoo News Ryanair strike update 2019: What dates are pilots striking? Plus what to do if your flight is affected
Ryanair pilots are set to stage two 24-hour walkouts as they strike over pay and working conditions.
UK-based pilots belonging to the British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) will stage industrial action on September 21 and 23, with the move followed by more walkouts towards the end of the month.
The latest round of strike action comes after walkouts earlier this caused little disruption to passengers after Ryanair said they managed to operate a full flight schedule.
While the airline said it expects all of its flights to operate as scheduled on the 21st and the 23, the walkouts towards the end of the month coincide with industrial action planned by the firm's Spanish staff.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Ryanair strikes happening this September.
Why are Ryanair pilots striking?
Balpa has previously said the strike is down to a row over pay and working conditions. Union members are calling for the same kind of agreements that exist in other airlines on pensions, maternity benefits, loss of licence insurance, allowances and pay.
“While the action has considerably disrupted Ryanair, forcing them to engage in contractors and bring in foreign crews to run its operation, it has had limited impact on the public’s travel plans,” said Balpa’s general secretary Brian Strutton.
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"Ryanair should stop dragging its feet and get back to the negotiating table.”
The airline then hit back at the union, saying that most of its pilots had flown during the last rounds of industrial action in August and early September.
A statement on the company's website read: "On Thurs 19th Sept over 800 Ryanair flights to/from UK airports operated as scheduled – with zero strike related cancellations – thanks to the efforts of over 97% of our UK pilots who flew as rostered and did not support these failed BALPA strikes.
"Ryanair expects all its flights to/from UK airports on Sat 21st and Mon 23rd Sept to operate as scheduled.
"We again call on BALPA to return to negotiations as these 7 days of strikes have achieved nothing, but BALPA offer no reason for their repeated refusal to take up these invitations."
Ryanair pilots have reportedly been told they could face losing their benefits "should they take part in current strike action."
A recent statement on the BALPA website reads: "BALPA still hopes to meet with Ryanair tomorrow (20th September 2019) or on Monday 23rd September, but as yet still haven’t heard from them.
BALPA General Secretary, Brian Strutton, said: "It takes an extraordinarily intransigent employer to refuse to take part in an entirely voluntary, non-binding ACAS process from which each side can withdraw at any time. Given that neither side has anything to lose from ACAS conciliation, what on earth is Ryanair frightened of?
“Instead of seeking to resolve the current impasse via negotiation, Ryanair seems hell bent on prolonging the dispute by threatening pilots with the removal of staff travel benefits and inflated and draconian deductions from salary.”
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When are the strikes planned?
Strike action is planned on 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 September.
Which flights will be affected?
It’s not yet clear which flights will be affected, but judging from the fallout over previous strikes, any travel disruption passengers may face is likely to be minimal.
The airline said recently that it did not expect any strike-related disruptions during the day.
If there are any changes to your flight, Ryanair should inform you over text or email.
Am I entitled to compensation for cancelled flights?
You may be able to claim back costs caused as a result of a delayed or cancelled flight – for example, accommodation costs or food and drink while waiting at an airport.
However, unlike delays for other reasons, airlines are not obligated to offer compensation following industrial action because strikes are usually considered to be ‘extraordinary circumstances.’
Following strike action last year, Ryanair were ordered by the Civil Aviation Authority to pay compensation of €250 to €400 per passenger, so if the strikes go ahead, it’s possible that travellers affected could be entitled to a similar figure.
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