Risk of a no-deal Brexit grounding flights across Europe is being 'underestimated' – Ryanair boss

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said Wednesday that the risk of a no-deal Brexit grounding flights across Europe is being “underestimated.”

Speaking at a press conference in central London, O’Leary also said that while the airline did not want any strikes, it would continue to put up with them in order to defend its low-cost flying business model.

His comments come after threats of further staff walkouts across Europe.

The row over pay and conditions at Europe’s largest low-cost carrier follows a flurry of strikes at the Irish airline in recent months, with walkouts taking place in Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

On Wednesday, pilots and cabin crew at Ryanair in Germany started another full-day walkout to put pressure on management amid labor talks. The carrier was forced to cancel 150 flights out of 400 scheduled to fly to and from Germany because of the 24-hour strikes.

Affected passengers were set to be offered alternative flights, the airline said. In a statement, Ryanair said Wednesday’s strikes would damage its business in Europe’s largest economy, before adding the action was “unnecessary.”

In August, the airline struck a deal with Irish pilots and said it was hopeful over securing further deals over the coming weeks.

However, seven trade unions representing cabin crews in Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands have since threatened to strike later this month — unless Ryanair promises to improve working conditions.

The unions warned it would be “the biggest strike action” the company had ever seen.

Article Courtesy of CNBC