Ryanair simply continues the closure of the Eindhoven base

Despite a defeat in court, Ryanair continues plans to close its base at Eindhoven Airport. The Irish airline learned Thursday that it could not transfer pilots on this basis to foreign countries. In a statement, Ryanair said the decision was not an obstacle to the closure of the base.

Ryanair first stated that she was still appealing the decision, but that message had disappeared in a second reaction. According to the airline, all pilots and cabin crew have received an offer to change base, "while maintaining their duties and their salary". "But if crew members prefer to opt for a layoff scheme, we will respect that choice."

The pilot transfer trial was initiated by the sixteen pilots at the Eindhoven base and was supported by the VNV Pilots' Union. Ryanair cited economic reasons for the planned closure of the Eindhoven base on 6 November. However, according to the judge, it seems that Ryanair wants to punish his pilots based in the Netherlands for their strike actions in recent months. Before these strikes, Ryanair had already threatened to close the Eindhoven base.

In ruling on the court, Ryanair should in principle pay the pilots' salaries and ensure that they can maintain their flying skills. The pilots had demanded it because they feared to be baffled by Ryanair.

As part of the lawsuit, the company also claimed that it could transfer the drivers as they were subject to Irish labor law on the basis of their Irish employment contract. However, according to the court, Ryanair must stick to the protection of Dutch employees. This means that Ryanair can only change the terms and conditions of employment if there is a significant interest. And that does not seem to be there, said the judge.

In addition, the transfer for pilots would have major consequences. Ryanair operates 85 other sites in Europe, but pilots have had to choose airports located in the southern depths of Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Morocco and the Azores. They could also opt for a mobile phone contract, where they work elsewhere every two or three months. The cabin crew would be transferred to German and Belgian airports, including Berlin, Brussels and Charleroi.

The closure of the base in Eindhoven was not a summary procedure, but without the possibility of transferring pilots, Ryanair is obliged to move this base. – with four planes, 49 pilots and 98 stewards and air hostesses – to keep open. For Eindhoven Airport, a closure has little consequence. About 85% of Ryanair flights at this airport remain intact and are operated from abroad. Only early morning flights are canceled.