Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.According to Reuters, Europe’s largest budget airline is interrupting summer travel plans for more than 55,000 passengers as 400 Ryanair flights were canceled today due to a pilot strike.
Ryanair says 250 flights to and from Germany have been canceled, along with 104 to and from Belgium, 42 flights in Sweden, and Ireland. This follows last month’s 300 cancellations in Belgium, Portugal, and Spain.
Ryanair is known for their super cheap fares between European cities. Last year, Lyn from Go to Travel Gal shared her review of Ryanair and says she would consider booking again. Not sure if she’s changed her mind after today’s major interruption!
So why are Ryanair pilot’s striking? It’s because the airline and pilots union have been unable to come to terms on a labor contract for nearly 9 months! The airline says they don’t want to “compromise” their low-cost model by giving up too much to the pilots. Meanwhile, the pilots are asking for the airline to recognize them based on the country they are based, instead of just Ireland where the airline is headquartered.
The flight cancellations are major inconveniences for passengers. But the worst part is Ryanair says these strikes qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” and are exempt from European Union passenger compensation rules. Normally, passengers traveling to a European destination are entitled to money if a flight faces serious delays or cancellation.
Have you been impacted by a Ryanair strike? Let us know in the comments below!
Hat tip: Reuters