BERLIN — Ryanair pilots in several European countries staged a strike over work conditions on Friday that prompted the budget carrier to cancel 400 flights.
Walkouts called by German and Belgian unions accounted for many of the cancellations, with strikes also called in Sweden and Ireland.
The airline said that over 2,000 flights, or 85 percent of its schedule, would operate as normal and that the majority of passengers affected have been re-booked on other Ryanair services.
German pilot representatives had said this week they were joining the strike action with a 24-hour walkout, ending at 2.59 a.m. today, because they want pay and work conditions comparable to those at Ryanair’s competitors.
The company has pointed to recent pay increases and invitations to meet for negotiations. Ryanair urged the unions “to continue negotiations instead of calling any more unjustified strikes.”
