Ryanair: 'Public being hijacked by €140k air traffic controllers'

Ryanair has welcomed the 24-hour strike notice served by air traffic controllers for Thursday February 28 saying the IAA, airlines, and passengers should stand up to "overpaid public service workers".

The air traffic controllers who, according to the airline, earn over €140,000 a year are pursuing a reduction in their "already low hours" (34.7 hours per week) and a 15% pay increase just to volunteer for overtime as well as an overtime rate of €1,200 per day (€150 per hour).

Ryanair has confirmed with the IAA that there are no staff shortages among air traffic controllers.

The airline has said the recent airport closures have been the result of "wildcat" strike actions where air traffic controllers engaged in "blue flu days" and their colleagues refused to cover.

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary said: "It is completely unacceptable that a public service union representing workers who earn over €140,000 per annum should engage in these ‘blue flus’ and strikes which close Ireland’s international airports as they pursue these unreasonable and unrealistic demands. The overtime rate they are seeking of €1,200 per day equates to a scandalous 20 times Ireland’s minimum wage.

"Ryanair fully support the IAA’s rejection of these unjustified and excessive demands from an out of control public sector union."