Ryanair pilots accept 20% pay cut to save jobs

Ryanair pilots have accepted a temporary 20% pay cut to avoid job losses, Balpa said on Wednesday.

The pilots’ union said 96% of its Ryanair members voted in favour of a pay reduction to save jobs that were under threat.

In May, Ryanair announced that 330 pilot jobs in the UK were at risk, including 70 from four potential base closures at Leeds Bradford, Prestwick, Bournemouth and Southend.

Following negotiations between Balpa and the airline, a cost-savings package was put together and pilots have agreed to take a pay cut to protect 260 of the jobs that were at risk.

The pilots’ union said it has ensured that full pay will be restored over the next four years.

General secretary Brian Strutton said: "This is a terrible time for aviation and for employees in all airlines.

"It was our members’ mandate for us to save as many jobs as possible. In the circumstances this is the right thing to do even if it means accepting difficult temporary reductions in pay.

"We do not relish accepting pay cuts and this is going to be tough for many of our pilot members. But we are at least pleased to have ensured that the overwhelming number of pilots whose jobs were at risk will continue to be employed."