Ryanair and Balpa sign UK recognition agreement

Ryanair has confirmed that it has signed a formal Union Recognition agreement with BALPA (British Airline Pilots Association), who will now be the sole representative body for Ryanair employed Pilots in the UK. This agreement follows extensive negotiations with BALPA since Ryanair’s December announcement that it was willing to recognise Unions for collective bargaining purposes. While these recognition negotiations were continuing with BALPA, the 6 remaining Ryanair UK Bases (including Stansted) voted – in secret ballot – to accept pay increases of up to 20%, which had already been agreed by a majority (9) of other UK bases. Ryanair welcomes the positive and constructive engagement of BALPA which led to the formal signing of this recognition agreement within 5 weeks of the first meeting. This recognition agreement with BALPA is significant because the UK accounts for almost 100 of Ryanair’s 400+ current aircraft fleet and over 25% of Ryanair’s pilot body.