Martin Locher, Vereinigung Cockpit union chief. Ryanair pilots in Germany will down tools on Friday. AP
Martin Locher, Vereinigung Cockpit union chief. Ryanair pilots in Germany will down tools on Friday. AP

Ryanair's woes grow with pilots in Germany joining strike set for Friday



Ryanair pilots in Germany will strike for 24 hours on Friday, their union said, adding to action planned in Ireland, Sweden and Belgium as Europe's biggest airline by passengers struggles to agree labour deals.

The Irish budget carrier, which late last year agreed to recognise unions, faces a rising tide of protests from unions frustrated at the slow progress being made in negotiations over collective labour agreements.

The airline has already cancelled 6 per cent of the more than 2,400 flights it has scheduled across Europe on Friday as a result of strikes planned in Ireland, Sweden and Belgium.

Dutch pilots' union VNV is also considering calling for strikes on Friday but has not yet taken a decision, a spokesman said.

The walkout by pilots based in Germany will start at 01.01 GMT on Friday, affecting all flights from Germany, the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union said.

"We hope that the strike will lead Ryanair to say they are ready to compromise with us and enter serious negotiations," VC President Martin Locher said.

The union said that while pilots appreciated the carrier's five days on, four days off rotas, they want to change the fact that salaries had a large variable component and also alter Ryanair's practice of moving staff between bases without much notice.

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Read more:

Ryanair proposes third-party mediation to end Irish pilot strikes

Ryanair chief O'Leary's pugilistic stance on unions could backfire

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"Pilots are not nomads who put up tents wherever Ryanair wants to operate," negotiator Ingolf Schumacher from the union said.

Ryanair operates more than 2,000 flights a day, serving 223 airports across 37 countries in Europe and North Africa.

Its low-cost model makes it Europe's most profitable airline, and the VC union said the company had ruled out any increase in staff costs.

The carrier has further angered unions by threatening to shift jobs if walk-outs hurt its business.

"Improvements are not possible without an increase in staff costs in the cockpit," Mr Locher said. "At the same time, Ryanair has not yet said where there might be room for manoeuvre."

Ryanair executives are due to hold a news conference in Frankfurt on Wednesday.

In the row with Irish pilots, the airline has proposed that a third-party mediator join talks.

Ryanair shares are down more than 10 per cent this year. They were trading up 0.2 per cent at 10.26 GMT on Wednesday.

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier

Sunday's results:

  • UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
  • Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
  • Oman v Hong Kong, no result

Tuesday fixtures:

  • Malaysia v Singapore
  • UAE v Oman
  • Nepal v Hong Kong
Ticket prices
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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
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  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Rooney's club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5