Ryanair shares rise on threat to fire pilots and cut its fleet amid union strikes
The budget carrier is blaming pilot walkouts for hurting the company with letters sent saying more than 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew may not be needed
London — Ryanair Holdings is pulling a fifth of its planes from its Dublin base this winter as the budget carrier moves to counter intensifying labour unrest that’s causing widespread European flight disruptions. The airline said on Wednesday that it’ll cut its Irish fleet to 24 aircraft from 30, blaming pilot walkouts for hurting bookings, fares and consumer confidence, and that letters have been sent informing more than 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew that their services may not be needed from October 28. Irish union Fórsa called the move "provocative" and announced a fourth day of pilot strikes in the country on August 3. The characteristically aggressive stance in Ryanair’s battle with trade unions comes as the most disruptive action the airline has faced gets underway with cabin crew across Europe staging walkouts. More than 600 flights have been canceled this week, the airline said, amid strikes in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy and Ireland at the height of the summer travel se...
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