Can I trust Ryanair after the strikes?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Many planes were parked last year due to industrial action (Reuters)

Q I lost my faith with Ryanair after our flights in the summer of 2018 were cancelled due to a strike by the airline’s staff in Spain. I am now looking to book for October. Ryanair is coming out much cheaper than anyone else. Do I put my faith back in them or use someone else at a higher price?
Gary J

A As many airline passengers will testify (including the 150,000-plus people affected by the drone at Gatwick airport before Christmas), there is no way to guarantee that any specific flight will operate. But of course it makes sense to improve the odds in your favour. Ryanair has experienced a lot more industrial unrest over the past year than other major airlines, with hundreds of flights – including yours – grounded by peak-season strikes by pilots and cabin crew. Does that provide a compelling reason to avoid the Irish airline? I don’t believe so. I calculate that the chances of a Ryanair flight last year being grounded was only one in 400. From the signals so far this year, I do not expect that proportion significantly to increase. I could be wrong, but I would make forward bookings on Ryanair with high confidence they will be unaffected by strikes.

If the flight does get cancelled, whether because of a strike by Ryanair staff, bad weather or air-traffic staff shortages, then the airline has to get you to your destination as swiftly as possible. By October 2018 the Civil Aviation Authority requirement on replacement flights will be in force: obliging a cancelling airline to get you on one of its departures the same day, or to buy you a ticket on a rival carrier. So even if it is affected, there are ready remedies to get you on your way.