Ryanair tells Buzz to shed 400 jobs

EMPLOYEES at the struggling airline Buzz are believed to have accepted the restructuring deal proposed

Last night was the deadline set by the airline for the 600 staff to accept 400 job losses and changes to their working and pay conditions.

Ryanair would not comment on the deal last night, though sources close to Buzz at Reuters news agency said that it was likely to be accepted. “It is not surprising given that KLM has already advised its employees that the alternative to the Ryanair rescue is complete closure of Buzz on April 1 and the loss of all jobs,” the source said.

Ryanair plans to axe half of Buzz’s routes as well as cut back on jobs. The airline has threatened to close Buzz in May if staff do not agree to the plans.

The plan has been met with fierce anger by unions representing staff, with at least two of the unions claiming last night that the deadline was

illegal under British employment law.

“We have already lodged legal action for unfair selection of redundancy and lack of consultation,” a spokeswoman for the GMB union said. The majority of job losses will be at Stansted Airport where ground handling and sales staff are based. Around 25% of Buzz pilots will also lose their jobs while 80% of cabin crew will go.

The airline will be grounded in April while Ryanair trains workers and half of its fleet will be mothballed and replaced by larger Ryanair jets.

Fares will be reduced dramatically on routes and if the proposals are

accepted Buzz will fly again in May.

Ryanair acquired Buzz in January from KLM in a deal worth around 25m in cash and debt assumption.