More Ryanair cancellations likely as pilots reject cash to work on days off

Ryanair customers face the threat of a fresh wave of flight cancellations as the airline’s pilots prepare to reject an offer of a cash bonus if they give up days off. The Guardian has obtained a draft letter signed by Ryanair pilots from across Europe, rejecting the offer and warning they will now “work to rule” - refusing to work beyond their basic contractual obligations. Ryanair had told pilots earlier this week that if they declined the GBP12,000 payment more flights might have to be scrapped. The no-frills carrier is scrambling to cope with a public relations disaster after it announced plans to cancel up to 50 flights a day until 31 October, citing a “mess-up” in how it schedules time off for pilots. The move has affected 315,000 customers. The letter circulating at Ryanair bases across Europe states: “We would like to advise that with immediate effect the pilot workforce at the bases [airports] listed below rescind the goodwill that has been extended toward the company for many years,including working days off and turning up early. In short, we shall now ‘work to rule’.” Working to rule would mean pilots refusing to help the airline by going beyond the terms of their contracts, which would involve working days off, arriving for shifts early or even answering company calls when they are not at work. The pilots have been spurred on by colleagues flying for rival European airlines, amid concern that Ryanair is leading a “race to the bottom” that has seen terms and conditions watered down across the industry.<br/>