Ryanair’s Ireland-based pilots have agreed to a temporary pay reduction aimed at saving under-threat jobs at the airline.
The agreement includes a 20% pay cut that will gradually be reversed over a four-year period.
To further minimise the risk to jobs, the deal also features “productivity improvements on rosters”, and changes to working patterns and annual leave.
The airline states that “100% of its Irish pilots” have accepted the agreement.
Ryanair says the deal gives it “a framework to flex its operation during the Covid-19 crisis and a pathway to recovery when the business returns to normal in the years ahead”.
The operator’s UK pilots reached a similar agreement on 1 July.
The Irish carrier says it has also signed agreements with Irish and UK cabin crew unions on “up to 10% pay reductions”. As with the pilot deal, pay would be restored over a four-year period.
The cabin crew agreements are subject to ballots among union members.
Ryanair group chief executive Michael O’Leary said on 1 July that most of the pilot and cabin crew job losses outlined by the business in May – around 3,000 positions – could be avoided if employees agreed to pay reductions.
