Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary threatens to move jobs to Poland if strikes continue

Pilots voted for industrial action in dispute over promotions and annual leave arrangements

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has threatened to move jobs to Poland if strikes by the airline’s crews in Europe continue and have an impact on business.

The budget travel group’s chief executive told a press conference in Vienna that he was prepared to cut jobs “in any market” if necessary, a week after pilots employed by the firm in Dublin staged two 24-hour strikes.

Nearly 100 pilots who are members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) voted to strike in a dispute about seniority, annual leave arrangements and transfers of flight crew between European and North African bases. IALPA members are planning further action for this Friday, 3 August.

On Monday, Ryanair pilots in Germany voted in favour of striking, followed by pilots in the Netherlands voting in favour of industrial action on Tuesday.

Ryanair cabin crews in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain also downed tools last week, with workers seeking local contracts and better conditions.

Commenting on Ryanair’s ongoing dealings with pilots and unions, Mr O’Leary said: “As long as there’s common sense on their side then we’ll reach agreements.

“If we have people who just want to have strikes for the sake of having strikes then they can have strikes and they’ll find themselves (with) jobs getting moved and aircraft getting moved.”

The company has previously said it plans to move crew and planes away from Dublin because of the effect industrial action has had on business.

Describing Ryanair as “the ultimate opportunistic airline”, he added: “We have today - in Ryanair - 20 markets that need more aircraft. We’re short of aircraft in almost every market in which we operate because of the demand for our prices, our services.

“If some market is being damaged as the Irish market has been damaged in recent months by these activities, the Polish market is growing hugely strongly for us, the Ryanair Sun is very full, profitable, we need more aircraft in the Polish market - move aircraft to Poland.”

Meanwhile, dozens of Ryanair flights were cancelled on Tuesday, affecting routes in and out of London Stansted, due to weather concerns and air-traffic control staff shortages around Europe.

At least 7,000 passengers have been affected by the timetable disruption.

The airline said: “Ryanair sincerely apologise for these weather and ATC disruptions which are entirely beyond our control.

“The knock on effect of this and ATC staff shortages may cause further disruptions throughout the day, including delays and cancellations.”

Additional reporting by newswires