The concerning truths behind working at Ryanair

The embattled budget airline Ryanair, who recently announced the cancellation of 2,100 flights due to a shortage of crew, is now facing threats of more cancellations as several pilots reject cash bonuses to work extra days.

Ryanair offered pilots a one-off bonus of up to £12,000 to prevent further cancellations, meaning pilots would have to give up their holidays. However, The Guardian has obtained a draft letter signed by Ryanair pilots from across Europe, rejecting the offer and warning they will now “work to rule”.

The letter circulating at Ryanair bases across Europe states that pilots are rescinding the goodwill that they have offered to the company for many years, including working days off and coming in early, and now they will work to rule, refusing to go beyond the terms of their contracts.

The disaster, which has left 315,000 passengers grounded, was caused by a “messing up” of the schedule that manages pilots’ time off.