Ryanair boss ‘hopeful and optimistic’ about ending strike action by pilots and cabin crew
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has said he is "hopeful and optimistic" that the airline will not be damaged further by strikes with its pilots and cabin crew this year.
O'Leary, who has previously said the airline will put up with strikes to defend its low-cost business model, said: "I am hopeful and optimistic that we are making real progress with the unions and that we won't have any further damage to the business this year."
Read more: Ryanair shares fall as airline slashes profit guidance
But he added it would not be helpful to resolve the issue within a specific timeline.
Last week Ryanair revised down its profits for the full year by 12 per cent following a series of summer strikes by pilots and cabin crew.
O'Leary blamed the downgrade on lower passenger traffic and forward bookings made because of the strikes, which he admitted had begun to affect consumer confidence.
The airline also said it would not be able to rule out further disruption in the next quarter, and that profit guidance could be cut further.
Read more: Ryanair says it wants to hatch a deal with striking unions by Christmas