The Ryanair strike affects about 10,000 passengers in our country this weekend

It’s all about flights with a Belgian crew, explains Nathalie Pierard from Brussels Airport. So far, five departures and five arriving flights in Zaventem on Saturday have been cancelled. Usually there are sixteen. Brussels Airport expects a similar situation on Sunday.

Much larger problems are expected at Brussels South Charleroi airport, according to trade union representative Didier Lippi (CNE) on Thursday. So far, 49 of the 136 planned flights there will be cancelled.

Ryanair is still waiting to be contacted but according to unions a total of 10,000 passengers will be affected this weekend. A large number of travelers have already been informed that their flights have been cancelled.

The reasons for the strike are the same as the reasons for the strike at the end of June. Pilots and crew feel misunderstood and expect a pay increase after a 20% capitulation during the coronavirus crisis.

“Ryanair says activity is 115 percent compared to 2019 levels, so nothing is preventing a reassessment of wages,” said Didier Lippi. But the Irish administration is not listening.

The airline already signed pay increases with French and Spanish pilots on Thursday. “It talks about the return of wages for 2020. But only in 2027. I do not know why they signed this, but it is impossible that similar agreements will be signed in Belgium,” it seems.

“We welcome these long-term agreements that will bring many improvements to our pilots in Spain and France,” Ryanair said in a press release. The low-cost airline also states that the company still faces “significant challenges” after the surge from the coronavirus crisis. According to the airline, agreements are now in place with 85 percent of pilots on expediting pay recovery and improving conditions in the long term. But this is too slow for Belgian pilots. They want to adjust their wages more quickly.

Read also. Ryanair threatens to leave Belgium: “Ultimately, unions will have to explain to pilots why the company is leaving Belgian airports”

According to employees of the Irish low-cost company, the management does not respect Belgian labor law in its proposals. Trade unions have been complaining for some time, because Ryanair does not have a personnel department in Belgium familiar with our social legislation.