Ryanair Loses High Court Bid In London To Block Strikes By UK Pilots.

21 August 2019, 17:17 | Updated: 21 August 2019, 17:26

The High Court in London has lost a bid to block the UK Ryanair pilots' strike action, but says the airline will still avoid mass cancellations on Thursday and Friday.

Ryanair pilots had planned strike walkouts from 0001 on 22nd August until 2359 on 23rd August.

The airline has sought an injunction to prevent members of the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) participating in the planned walkout.

At the High Court in Dublin, Ryanair was granted a last-ditch injunction to prevent the 48-hour stoppage planned for Thursday and Friday.

But Ryanair has lost a High Court bid in London to block strikes by its UK pilots.

Passengers have been kept in the dark about whether or not scheduled flights would go ahead.

In a tweet, Ryanair welcomed the judgement from the Irish court. It said all Ryanair flights from Irish airports would now take off as normal.

Regarding UK flights, Ryanair says it still expects to carry out its UK flight timetable, although cannot rule out some small flight delays or flight changes.

Barrister Paul Gott QC, who is leading Ryanair's legal team, told the judge, in a written case outline, that strike action could be "enormously disruptive".

He said Ryanair would suffer "significant reputational" damage.

Mr Gott said BALPA had refused an invite to suspend strike action and that Ryanair had no "realistic alternative" but to ask for a "restraining" order.

Barrister Andrew Burns QC, who is leading BALPA's legal team, said, in a written case outline, that Ryanair's application should be dismissed.

Ryanair: Will The Strikes Go Ahead?