After months of difficult negotiations, Irish airline Ryanair signed a deal with Spanish and French pilot unions on Thursday. The agreements include wage increases and have a duration of five years.
“We welcome these long-term agreements which will bring many improvements for our pilots in Spain and France,” said Ryanair. The low-cost airline also said the company still faced “significant challenges” after being buffeted by the corona crisis.
According to the Ryanair management, agreements have now been made with 85 percent of the pilots about an accelerated wage upgrade and better conditions in the longer term.
Spanish cabin crews went on strike in June and July because the low-cost airline refused to negotiate higher wages. The Spanish trade unions also got together with their counterparts in Belgium, France, Italy and Portugal to organize actions throughout Europe.
Ryanair pilots in Italy went on strike last month, while in Belgium, pilots go on strike again on Saturday and Sunday for a pay increase.
According to union representative Hans Elsen (ACV), it is not yet known how many flights will be cancelled this weekend in Brussels and Charleroi. Ryanair “waits until the last minute to clarify” which flights will continue, Elsen tweeted on Thursday.
