Ryanair's O'Leary 'optimistic' union strife won't damage business further this year

Ryanair CE Michael O'Leary said Tuesday he was "hopeful and optimistic" that industrial relations issues would not damage the airline further this year after strikes contributed to a rare profit warning last week. The carrier cut its full-year profit forecast by 12% Oct 1 and warned that worse may follow if recent strikes across Europe continue to hit traffic and bookings. O'Leary said management was making progress in talks with unions and was hopeful there would not be a further financial hit this year. "O'Leary said: "I am hopeful and optimistic that we are making real progress with the unions and that we won't have any further damage to the business this year." O'Leary pointed to breakthroughs in talks with unions in Ireland and Italy and said Ryanair "hopes to make similar progress in other countries in the coming months." <br/>