Budget airline Ryanair has released a statement following the abrupt cancellation of numerous flights, leaving passengers stuck. The carrier denounced what they called an ‘illegal wildcat’ strike by Belgian air traffic controllers on Tuesday, June 2. This strike led to the cancellation of 100 Ryanair flights to/from Charleroi and Zaventem Airports, disrupting the plans of nearly 20,000 passengers. Ryanair expressed frustration at the lack of notice given by the air traffic controllers, emphasizing the impact on passengers and the airline’s operations.
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, criticized the strike, stating that while they respect the right to strike, the zero notice provided to airlines was unacceptable. O’Leary urged for at least 24 hours’ notice for any future strikes to allow airlines to adjust schedules and mitigate disruptions for passengers. Additionally, there is a possibility of further strike action affecting Ryanair travelers on June 3, with a general strike planned in Portugal. This strike is in protest of labor reforms proposed by the Portuguese government and may cause widespread disruption.
Notably, this general strike in Portugal marks the second time in recent months that the nation has experienced such industrial action. While rival airline EasyJet anticipates some disruption for passengers, Ryanair has assured that its operations will continue unaffected. The strike is expected to impact various sectors across the country, reflecting a wider protest against government reforms.