1st Jul 2015 06:43
LONDON (Alliance News) - Irish budget carrier Ryanair Holdings PLC on Wednesday kicked off its 'Keep Europe's Skies Open' petition in the European Union, a call to prevent consumers in Europe from having their holiday plans disrupted by striking Air Traffic Control unions.
Ryanair said it has repeatedly called on the European Commission and European Parliament to take action against strikes by these unions, specifically French ATC unions, which have staged 39 days of strike action since 2009.
The Ryanair petition calls to the removal of the ATC unions' right to strike and to allow other European ATCs to manage flights over French airspace during strike action.
"It's unacceptable that Europe's consumers repeatedly have their holiday and travel plans disrupted or cancelled by the selfish actions of ATC unions every summer, who use strikes as a first weapon rather than a last resort. French ATC unions will again stage three further days of strikes this week, which will impact hundreds of thousands of European consumers. It is particularly reprehensible that these strikes are taking place at the height of the peak summer season, deliberately targeting holiday makers and families," said Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair's chief marketing officer.
"It's time the Commission and Parliament took action to prevent Europe's families and ordinary air travellers having their hard earned holidays or travel plans regularly disrupted by these ATC unions closing the skies over Europe. If the EU won't listen to the airlines, perhaps they'll listen to Europe's citizens," he added.
By Sam Unsted; [email protected]; @SamUAtAlliance
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