Ryanair issues warning of job losses as new strikes take place

Budget European airline, Ryanair has sent a warning to its workforce, stating that there may be job losses in the wake of the news that a new series of strikes is to take place.

Earlier today, Ryanair confirmed that it had also cancelled more than 300 flights ahead of the strikes, which has affected holidaymakers in Portugal, Spain and Belgium.

The threat was made during the company’s first quarter statement, which saw profits fall by 20%. This was also coupled with rising oil prices and a pay increase for all pilots.

Profits fell from €397 million in the same quarter last year, to €319 million.

The Irish airline was forced to recognise union action for the first time in its history at the end of last year – and is facing strikes across the continent. The strikes are focusing around pay and working conditions.

A company statement read: “While we continue to actively engage with pilot and cabin crew unions across Europe, we expect further strikes over the peak summer period as we are not prepared to concede to unreasonable demands that will compromise either our low fares or our highly efficient model.

“”If these unnecessary strikes continue to damage customer confidence and forward prices/yields in certain country markets then we will have to review our winter schedule, which may lead to fleet reductions at disrupted bases and job losses in markets where competitor employees are interfering in our negotiations with our people and their unions.

“We cannot allow our customers flights to be unnecessarily disrupted by a tiny minority of pilots.”

More to follow.