Advertisement

Ryanair base closures accused of being a ‘declaration of war’ by unions after strikes

Unions claim base closures are in response to recent strikes: AFP/Getty Images
Unions claim base closures are in response to recent strikes: AFP/Getty Images

Ryanair’s closure of bases and fleet reductions are being seen as “punishment” for the recent strikes across Europe, according to pilot and cabin crew unions.

The low cost airline has announced it is closing two bases from 5 November – one in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and the other in Bremen, Germany – and reducing its fleet at Niederrhein, Germany, from five to three aircraft.

The move was dubbed “a declaration of war” by Arthur van de Hudding, president of Dutch pilots’ union VNV.

“If the Ryanair management thinks closing bases is a quick and cheap solution to labour unrest – and the court in the Netherlands sees it differently – they are naive at best and antagonistic at worst,” he said.

“It will never be tolerated by Ryanair employees to de facto curtail their right to strike.

“We urge Ryanair to keep its station in the Netherlands, to face up to its responsibility and come back to the negotiating table rather than run away and punish anyone who stays behind.”

It could well jeopardise Ryanair’s aim that agreements be reached with unions by Christmas, says Martin Locher, president of German pilots union Vereinigung Cockpit: “Forcing pilots and cabin crew to change locations or lose their jobs and incomes is certainly not what we need to build trust and a solid basis for negotiation.

“If Ryanair is serious about reaching an agreement by Christmas, then such behaviour is not helpful at all.”

ECA President Dirk Polloczek, speaking on behalf of trade union leaders from across Europe, added: “It’s hard to imagine how Ryanair can seriously expect to come to an agreement with the unions when such threats are hanging in the air.

“The pilot unions demand the immediate withdrawal of station closures in Eindhoven and Bremen as well as the reduction of the station on the Lower Rhine. We call on Ryanair management to abandon its confrontational and counterproductive policies.”

Ryanair staff in Germany joined the Unteilbar demonstration on 13 October, which saw more than 240,000 people take to the streets in Berlin to protest the far right.

Participants who work for the low cost airline wore T-shirts and carried banners reading “Rights at Ryanair!”.

Ryanair has disputed the claims that it is punishing staff for industrial action by closing bases and moving jobs. It has cited deteriorating market conditions characterised by higher oil prices and declining air fares as the reasons behind the decision.

Ryanair’s Kenny Jacobs said: “The closure of two Ryanair bases in Eindhoven and Bremen, and a reduction from five to three aircraft in Niederrhein is a small but necessary response to these adverse circumstances. Ryanair has already warned that if oil prices continue to rise, or if air fares continue to fall, we cannot rule out further base closures or capacity cuts in Germany or other EU countries.

“These regrettable closures are due to adverse market conditions, and we dismiss these false claims made by Lufthansa pilots under the banner of the ECA.”

Europe's largest airline recently suffered a 10 per cent dip in its share price after cutting the latest profits forecast by €150m (£133m).