Ryanair Calls On FORSA To Explain Why More Irish Customers Are Being Disrupted When Ryanair Has Agreed To 9 Of 11 FORSA Requirements

Ryanair today (30 July) invited FORSA and its Pilot Committee to meet to discuss FORSA’s requirements, after next Fridays 4^th strike by just 25% of Irish pilots, which has disrupted another 3,500 Irish customers flights. Since all these passengers have now been re-accommodated or refunded, these 20 cancelled flights (out of 300) cannot be restored even if this 4^th strike is called off, as the damage to Ryanair’s Irish business has already been done.

Ryanair also released details of FORSA’s 11 requirements, 9 of which have already been agreed by Ryanair. Only 2 of these, no.6 (which would limit Ryanair’s growth and F.O. promotions), and no.11 (which FORSA cannot explain because it contradicts no.7 & no.10) are not agreed. Given how much Ryanair has already agreed to, it is irresponsible of FORSA to call repeated strikes of Irish pilots and refuse to meet Ryanair (as they did last Tuesday), which has damaged Ryanair’s Irish business and led to 300 pilots and cabin crew receiving protective notices.

Ryanair’s COO Peter Bellew said:

“The 20 cancelled flights next Friday cannot be recovered even if this unnecessary (4^th) strike is called off. We hope FORSA will accept our invitation to meet either next Saturday (4^th) or any day the following week commencing Mon 6 Aug, as long as no more strikes are called while we meet, and no Aer Lingus pilots are involved in these negotiations.

FORSA’s call for a meeting lacks credibility when we invited them to meet us last Wednesday, and their only response was to refuse, and instead call a 4^th strike. We apologise to the 3,500 Irish customers (whose 20 flights next Fri have been cancelled), but who have now been re-accommodated or refunded. We share their frustration at these strikes (by just 25% of Irish pilots), which are unnecessary when we have already agreed to 9 of FORSA’s 11 requirements.”