by Skycop team
If you flew with Ryanair in 2019, you probably remember the notorious five-day strike by pilots in the UK, which coincided with the peak holiday season. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and thousands of passengers were stranded at airports. But things have changed since then.
What happened next?
In 2020, aviation virtually came to a standstill at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no major strikes in the UK, unions focused on negotiations to save jobs and pay. In September that year, BALPA (British Airline Pilots’ Association) and Ryanair reached an interim agreement to reduce wages and avoid layoffs.
2021-2022 was marked by a recovery from the pandemic. There were no significant Ryanair strikes in the UK, although there were multi-day protests in Spain, Belgium, and France.
Was Your Flight Disrupted? Turn your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight into a compensation up to €600!
Ryanair Labor Unrest
In 2023, Ryanair again faced a series of strikes in Europe, this time in Spain and Belgium. British pilots did not stop working then, but BALPA actively pressured the company over schedules and working conditions, warning of the possibility of strikes.
What now?
There were no massive strikes by Ryanair pilots in the UK in 2024-2025. However, protests in France, Italy, and Spain continue, sometimes affecting British passengers through cancellations or delays in connecting flights. BALPA publicly stated in 2024 that it was prepared to return to strikes if Ryanair did not make concessions on pensions and working hours, but large-scale flight suspensions have been avoided.
What You’re Entitled To Under EC261/UK26
As always, air passengers affected by delays or cancellations have all the usual rights granted to them under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 (and UK261 for flights to, from, or within the UK),
Depending on the length of the delay and the flight, this could include meals and drinks, access to communication, and, if an overnight stay is needed, hotel accommodation with transport between the airport and the hotel.
Was Your Flight Disrupted? Turn your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight into a compensation up to €600!
If the Airline Doesn’t Assist
If the airline does not provide this support, you can make your own arrangements and request reasonable expenses reimbursement, so it’s important to keep all receipts. “Reasonable” covers essentials, not luxury extras, and eligibility can vary depending on the circumstances of the disruption.
Normally, airline strikes and wildcat strikes are not considered grounds for awarding flight compensation, even though it’s Skycop’s opinion that delayed or cancelled flight compensation should apply to airline personnel strikes.
