Ryanair pilots will strike next week, at the busiest time of the year, and passengers have taken to Twitter in droves to bemoan the lack of direction from the airline.
On Tuesday the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) voted in favour of industrial action with 79 out of 84 members agreeing.
The 24-hour Ryanair strike could mean delayed and cancelled flights just before Christmas, ruining many travellers holiday plans.
Passengers have since been asking the airline for a response regarding their flight status.
Sarah Watts wrote: “When will we know which flights are cancelled on Wednesday? Will you put us on alternative flights? How do we find any info?”
Anna Twerk wrote: “I swear to god if Ryanair cancel my sister’s flight to come home for Christmas due to a strike, I will be one ANGRY customer.”
Another asked: “When will we know if our flights are cancelled to make alternative plans? It’s completely unfair to keep us waiting especially giving the time of year.
“I want an actual answer and not the automated response you have been so kindly leaving everyone.”
The airline’s replies have angered many, as they refuse to acknowledge whether the flights will be affected or cancelled.
Ryanair has been replying to many of the Twitter users with the response: “Hi, Ryanair will deal with any such disruptions if, or when they arise, and we apologize sincerely to customers for any upset or worry this threatened action may cause,” with a link to the most recent travel updates.
Anna Kotsonouris replied: “That doesn’t help me if you tell me next Monday my flight is cancelled and I can’t get home for Christmas without it costing.”
It is too early for the airline to know which flights will be cancelled, or if the strike it to go ahead.
If flights are cancelled, it will be the responsibility of the airline to issue a refund or alternative flights under EU regulations.
Despite this, if the cancellations are not caused by them directly then it won’t be the responsibility of the airline to help passengers.
Ryanair told Express.co.uk yesterday in a statement: “Ryanair is surprised that IALPA has threatened to disrupt Christmas week travel when IALPA’s own numbers confirm that it has the support of less than 28 per cent of Ryanair’s over 300 Dublin pilots and when Ryanair’s Belfast, Cork and Shannon bases have already agreed these 20 per cent pay deals.
“While some disruption may occur, Ryanair believes this will largely be confined to a small group of pilots who are working their notice and will shortly leave Ryanair, so they don’t care how much upset they cause colleagues or customers.”
It is another huge crisis for the airline following their flight disruptions in September.
Ryanair was forced to cancel over 14,000 flights due to pilot holiday scheduling, meaning 400,000 passengers were stranded. It is thought to be costing the airline €125 million in compensation.
