Ryanair, Europe’s Cut-Price Behemoth, Agrees to Recognize Pilot Unions for First Time<br />The airline also maintained that it would acknowledge only representatives from Ryanair and<br />that it would not "engage with pilots who fly for competitor airlines in Ireland or elsewhere." Ryanair called for the unions to cancel any potential strikes.<br />One question that remained was whether Ryanair would negotiate only with directly employed pilots, or<br />whether it would be willing to discuss the conditions of contractor pilots and cabin crews as well.<br />Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, argued<br />that airline unions and competitors were trying to "demean and disparage our collective success." As the busy holiday travel season approached, pilots ultimately threatened to strike.<br />Andrew Charlton said that It’s an acknowledgment that the fundamental core of the business model has to change<br />and they’re going to have to start operating like a normal airline,<br />" Ms. Cocca said. that They are more frightened than pilots because they feel like numbers,<br />The carrier on Friday officially recognized pilot unions, a move that could cut into the company’s profit and prompt a broader industry shakeout.
