Another 250 flights have been added to the list of Ryanair cancelations as the German Pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) confirms that pilots will be taking strike action this Friday after a 96 percent majority of Ryanair pilots employed in Germany voted in favor of a walk out.
They now join the ranks of striking pilots in Ireland, Belgium and Sweden, with over 150 flights already canceled ahead of further action. In all, approximately 45,000 Ryanair passengers will be given up to 48 hours’ notice if their flights have been canceled. Although the Irish low-cost carrier has not confirmed which flights will be canceled, it is understood that links from East Midlands, Glasgow, Manchester and Stansted to and from Berlin Schonefeld will be grounded on Friday, along with Manchester and Stansted services to Frankfurt.
The strike by German pilots was announced on July 30 after VC confirmed that no improved offer had been received from Ryanair, Martin Locher, the union’s President commenting that: “Improvements are inconceivable without staff cost increases in the cockpit. Ryanair categorically ruled out any increase in staff costs in the negotiations. Ryanair alone is responsible for the escalation that has now occurred. VC regrets the impact on affected passengers, cabin crew and ground crew.”
Friday is due to be one of the busiest days of the summer for carriers, with Ryanair originally intending to operate 2,400 flights. That number has now dwindled by around 400 due to strike cancellations in Ireland, Belgium, Sweden and Germany, representing one-sixth of Ryanair’s schedule.