Ryanair "messes up" pilot's holidays, cancels 40+ flights/day

[RooFlyer]

This isn't new, but I can't find it posted ....

Ryanair has published full details of which of its flights are being cancelled between now and 28 October.

Customers whose flights have been axed will also receive an email, chief executive Michael O'Leary has said.

The budget airline is cancelling 40-50 flights every day for the next six weeks, after it admitted it had "messed up" the planning of pilot holidays.

Mr O'Leary said most people would be transferred to an alternative Ryanair flight on the same day.

Story can be found on the BBC site here. More:

Mr O'Leary said Ryanair would honour all of its obligations to compensate passengers under EU regulations but would not book passengers onto flights with rival carriers.

"We will not pay for flights on other airlines, no. It is not part of the EU261 entitlement," he said, referring to European passenger rights legislation.

He said the airline did not have an overall shortage of pilots, but said they had "messed up" the rosters for September and October.

 

[OzEire]

Been following this due to my Irish links. There is another story that Norwegian Air Shuttle has boasted poaching 140 FR pilots in the last two months. Potentially linked ?

 

[UP4014]

Very Irish indeed.

 

[OZDUCK]

Ryanair taken to task.This is another interesting turn in this saga. Pity it can't happen here - the ruling not the airline arrogance. Regulator 'fury' over Ryanair law breach

 

[codash1099]

Ryanair may face legal action over flight cancellations

Lots of flights reported cancelled. Sheer unadulterated incompetence no doubt coming from a philosophy of indifference.

 

[YSSY]

Interestingly worded, but essentially they haven't enough pilots. They don't have any problems recruiting fresh new pilots with 200 hours, however retention of experienced pilots seems to be a major problem. Perhaps they need to address the working conditions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ryanair taken to task.This is another interesting turn in this saga. Pity it can't happen here - the ruling not the airline arrogance. Regulator 'fury' over Ryanair law breach

Some argue a compensation regime could increase fares and are opposed to it, or alternatively, that you get what you pay for. I disagree. Fares are as low as they've ever been in Europe, and airlines still compete based on price.

I like the quote from one of the articles that says people shouldn't have to choose between legal rights and low fares.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Ryanair: fixing rostering problems, but CAPA analysis says more to this than simple pilot shortage - CAPA (Centre For Aviation)

Premium article so only the below content is available without membership:-

Ryanair's flight cancellations in the six weeks to the end of Oct-2017 have been followed by the cancellation of more flights in the coming winter. This will slow its passenger growth from 9% to 7.5% in FY2018 and from 8% to 7% in FY2019. Ryanair is also increasing pilot recruitment and, at four major bases, pilot pay. Ryanair has also withdrawn its bid for Alitalia to "eliminate all management distractions".

Ryanair insists that the latest measures will rectify its crew rostering problems. Some observers had inferred a deeper problem, namely a shortage of pilots, but CAPA analysis in this report does not support this. However, pilot retention and career development may need more management attention and may be starting to receive it. After four years of trying to be nicer to passengers with its 'Always Getting Better' programme, CEO Michael O'Leary may now be adopting a more cuddly approach with is pilots.

Ryanair has a history of quick changes when things go wrong. Mr O'Leary has held his hands up, admitted to errors and apologised. The cuddly new Mr O'Leary has not lost his resolve to make sure the same thing does not happen again.

 

[jb747]

The culture of Ryanair is to treat the pilots as expendable/consumable items. The only people who would stay any longer than the minimum are those who cannot get a job elsewhere. In a time of surplus pilots that might work for a while, but that time would seem to be ending.

Fixing their issues will take much more than dollars. It will require a change of culture in management, something that will not happen with MOL present.

They aren't the only airline in the world to have these issues, but would seem to be the first to hit the brick wall. Watch this space.

 

[codash1099]

Interesting interview.

LBC

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting interview.

LBC

Wow. That is shocking huh?

 

[OzEire]

As I have a few FR flights booked, that is genuinely concerning.

 

[UP4014]

As I have a few FR flights booked, that is genuinely concerning.

On my list of no fly airlines.....

 

[OzEire]

On my list of no fly airlines.....

Should be mine too but I couldn't beat the route & time FR offered for these flights.