Ryanair workers are set to strike on multiple dates this month, leaving excited holidaymakers anxious about the current status of their flights. The airline's staff in Spain have announced 12 new dates of industrial action in June, which will mostly impact flights to and from Spain.
While we have seen cancellations, it is likely that most flights will run, even with striking staff on board. Travel Expert Simon Calder has said that he has been on a strike flight, and while it was slightly different than the typical flying experience, he still got to his destination.
On ITV’s This Morning Calder explained that the impact on flights in Spain might be “limited” and most holidays will go ahead without a dramatic last-minute cancellation. He says that if flights get mandated, they’ve got to run.
The Spanish Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has ordered a minimum service to be in place, the Express reports.
In his ITV appearance, he said: “Ryanair is facing some industrial action by Spanish cabin crew members and indeed in Italy, France, Portugal and Belgium as well.
“But so far the impact on flights has been very limited. We saw some at the weekend but mostly Spanish domestic flights on Ryanair.
“I’ve been on strike flights on Ryanair in Spain and basically you’ve got the cabin crew who don’t want to be there. They do the safety briefing. They go and sit in the galley and they will not serve you an overpriced cup of tea.
“If they get mandated, they’ve got to run those flights. Now there will be some disruption but the vast majority of Ryanair passengers won’t even know.”
In Spain, the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda has ordered a minimum service to be maintained for flights. This means that some flights will be protected to defend the basic rights of passengers to travel.
International Ryanair services where an alternative public transport would mean a journey of five hours or more are likely to have a high level of protection. This means that cabin crew will have to operate those flights by law even if they decide to go on strike.
As Simon says, this may mean that passengers won’t be offered by refreshments but they will be able to board the flight. Ryanair workers in Spain are planning to strike on the 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of July.
Simon said he’d “never seen anything as bad” as the current travel chaos in his decades of working in the industry.
He advised passengers: “Do not turn up more than three hours ahead (of your flight).
“If you do, you'll simply get in the way. If you possibly can, check in the night before.
“If you live near an airport or are staying at an airport hotel, you can check your bag the night before.
“If you’ve got an early flight, that’s absolutely the way to go.”
He said the situation might calm down in September when people are back at school and work.
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