Base closures and fleet reduction by Ryanair – perceived in some quarters as a punishment for the lawful industrial actions by pilots and cabin crew – are seen as a declaration of war to the crew across the whole network. There is concern that this latest development will seriously exacerbate the recent deterioration in the relationship between the airline and its pilots and cabin crew, which has already seen strike action in some countries. This message comes from the Presidents of European pilot unions and associations, who met last week in Vienna. The aggressive move by Ryanair management comes on top of already tense relations with its employees and stalling negotiations in numerous countries.

Tomorrow, investors will meet at Ryanair’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) – under a general media ‘lock-out’ imposed by the airline’s management team. One year after Ryanair’s pilot rostering and flight cancellation crisis, and 9 months after its announcement that it would open up to unions, the situation is more chaotic and unpredictable than ever. Apart from two agreements on targeted terms and conditions reached in Italy and Ireland, negotiations with pilot unions across Europe are either blocked or progressing at snail’s pace. As a result, industrial unrest is more present – and more likely in future – than it ever was.