RYANAIR has confirmed the cancellation of 24 flights between Ireland and the UK this coming Friday due to ongoing industrial action.
Around 4,000 Irish passengers will be affected by the latest cancellations at the peak of the summer holiday season on July 20.
Announcing a further strike on Tuesday, July 24, the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association said they had failed to agree terms with Ryanair over base transfer arrangements and related matters.
In a statement posted on Twitter, the airline said: "Ryanair regrets to advise Irish customers that 25% of our 350+ Irish pilots and their union, FORSA, have voted to strike again on Friday 20 July."
The airline went on to voice its displeasure at the latest strike, adding: "This second strike is unnecessary because Ryanair has already given them written proposals that address their concerns about seniority - even though FORSA and the pilots committee don't even understand that their demands will damage Irish pilots' prospect".
Ryanair Irish Customer Notice: pic.twitter.com/lc1rFOaIAr
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) July 17, 2018
Ryanair explained it had sought to minimilise the impact of the strike on holidaying families by cancelling "high frequency" flights between Ireland and the UK rather than flights to destinations in Portugal, France, Spain, Italy and Greece.
“We are cancelling flights on high frequency routes from Ireland to London and other UK province destinations where customers can transfer readily to other flights,” Ryanair said in a tweeted statement," it added.
The carrier said this afternoon that affected customers had received text and email notifications informing them that their flights have been cancelled.
Customers with cancelled flights were told in an email that Ryanair had “done our utmost” to prevent disruptions but that they were unavoidable due to “an unnecessary strike”.
Fliers were also provided with details about how to secure a refund or change their cancelled flight.
Passengers due to travel with Ryanair can check the status of their flight on the airline’s website here.
