Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warns of job losses over Brexit and Boeing woes
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has warned staff that hundreds of jobs could be lost as the airline reels from a decline in earnings and the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
In a video sent to workers and seen by Bloomberg, the airline chief executive told staff that Ryanair needs 900 fewer pilots and cabin crew than initially planned due to the airline’s poor financial performance and the continued grounding of the Boeing 737, which has hurt its growth and cut flight numbers.
Read more: Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary blasts Boeing over 737 Max delays
“We over the next couple of weeks will be doing our very best to minimise job losses, but some are unavoidable at this time,” O’Leary said.
Last week, when Ryanair revealed its profits had nosedived by 21 per cent in the first quarter, O’Leary warned he could not rule out job losses if the jet remains grounded for longer than expected.
Read more: Ryanair profits nosedive 21 per cent in first quarter
“I am concerned that the Max return to service keeps slipping,” O’Leary added.
O’Leary slammed Boeing over the controversy, saying his airline could have no Boeing 737 Max jets available next year unless the aircraft manufacturer “gets its sh*t together”.