Ryanair strike: September 2019

SEPLA, the union to which Ryanair pilots are associated, has indicated that the initial strike called for 19^th,20^th, 22^nd, 27th and 29th September 2019 will go forward as previously announced. Unfortunately, this is occurring in addition to the strikes that were already announced by Ryanair cabin crew intending to go on strike for most of September. Both Ryanair cabin crew and pilots would participate together in a strike that would potentially cause mass cancellations across a grand scheme of Ryanair flights.

Which flights are affected by the Ryanair strike in September?

The Spanish Ministry of Public Works (Fomento) has determined that 60% of all Ryanair flights that have a flight time of more than 5 hours should operate as planned. According to the ministry, a similar rule applies to 35% of mainland flights with a flight time of less than 5 hours.

Is my holiday in Spain in September affected by the Ryanair strike?

The Spanish Ministry of Public Works has declared that all non-continental flights should operate according to plan. This means that UK passengers booked for the Canary and Balearic Islands with Ryanair for the end of September, should not be affected by the strike.

Why are only the Spanish Ryanair cabin crew and pilots on strike?

Ryanair recently set forth that it was closing four Spanish bases (Las Palmas, Tenerife Sure, Lanzarote and Girona), which caused discontent amongst many Spanish pilots, crew and staff. The closure of the Spanish bases risk the employment of 500 people,150 of which are pilots under contract with Ryanair.

When will the Ryanair bases in Spain close?

According to Ryanair, the four Spanish bases will close on the 8^th of January, 2020. However, Ryanair has not identified which of the routes the airline intends to keep operating and which it will discard.

Can Ryanair avoid the strike?

Theoretically, Ryanair could try to come to an agreement with its staff or give in to their demands to maintain the four bases. Although, the airline has not given in to any demands yet and it does not look like that might change. Ryanair claims that the recent setback with the Boeing 737 Max aircraft has meant that the company has been forced to cut costs. The closing of the four Spanish bases is one action taken to achieve said goal. It seems that the airline will not be swayed from its plan.

Can I claim compensation for a delayed or cancelled Ryanair flight due to the strike?

According to the Regulation EC 261/2004, you are entitled to claim compensation if your flight has been delayed or cancelled due to the strike. However, the airline has strongly argued that passengers are not entitled to compensation by issues caused by crew and pilot strikes. In some European countries, the courts have determined that passengers are, in fact, entitled to compensation as a cabin crew strike should not be considered an extraordinary circumstance. However, we must point out that legal proceedings may be necessary to enforce the rights of passengers as Ryanair remains steadfast in their refusal to compensate its passengers. Despite Ryanair’s rebuttal, you may have the right to receive compensation.

Can Flight-Delayed.co.uk help passengers claim compensation if their Ryanair flight was affected by the strike?

Yes, we can! Our team have the technical knowledge and legal experience to ensure that you receive the compensation that you are entitled to. Using our databases and drawing from our experience, we can verify Ryanair’s information and arguments. If needed, we can take your case to court and make sure you are compensated. All of our work falls under our principle of no win, no fee! Our 25% fee covers absolutely all the expenses associated with claiming your compensation, including legal expenses. Exercise your rights and claim compensation now!

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