Ryanair will cancel about 44 flights at Charleroi airport on Saturday due to the Belgian pilots' strike, airport CEO Philippe Verdonck told VTM Nieuws.
The action is primarily regarding wages, which were cut by 20% at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic to help the company through the crisis. Respect for pilot rest times is also under scrutiny.
Unions last week submitted an ultimatum to the Irish low-cost airline's board, but this failed to result in a deal. A last-ditch meeting on Wednesday also fell through. More than 80% of pilots stationed at Charleroi airport will strike on Saturday and Sunday and the disruption is likely to be significant, according to Didier Lebbe, permanent secretary of the CNE union.
Charleroi Airport CEO Philippe Verdonck has said that 44 flights will be cancelled on Saturday. It is not yet known how many passengers will be affected on Sunday. He is still awaiting further information from Ryanair. The airline has already contacted all passengers whose flight has been or will be cancelled, or will do so soon.
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On Saturday morning, strikers and unions will meet in the departures hall of the airport. Unions warn they can continue campaigning until the Covid collective agreement expires in October 2024.
