DUBLIN: Ryanair on Friday proposed that a third-party mediator step into talks with a trade union representing its Irish pilots who went on strike for a fourth time on Friday before wider stoppages planned around Europe next week.
The Forsa trade union, which had called for such mediation, welcomed Ryanair’s response and said it would recommend it to pilots.
Europe’s biggest airline by passenger numbers agreed to recognize unions for the first time late last year but negotiations since have faltered.
It has seen strikes in some of its biggest markets including Ireland, Spain and Italy as it struggles to reach collective labor agreements with trade unions.
Around a quarter of Ryanair’s 350 pilots based in Ireland have taken part in a series of one-day strikes and a number picketed in the rain outside Dublin airport on Friday morning.
Ryanair has limited the damage from the Irish strikes so far and said passengers on the 20 flights it canceled from the 300 that flew in and out of Ireland on Friday were either put on another flight or refunded.
However, it faces greater disruption next Friday with Irish pilots joining colleagues in Sweden and Belgium on strike, and Ryanair braced for action in Germany and the Netherlands on the same day.
Ryanair shares were down 0.7 percent at 12.92 euros by 1150 GMT, near two-year lows and well below the level hit in December when it shocked the markets by ending 32 years of refusing to recognize unions.
While the Irish airline has signed recognition deals in some markets, it has failed to do so in others and not yet reached any collective labor agreements.
“This is part and parcel of life in aviation when you recognize unions,” Ryanair Chief Marketing Officer Kenny Jacobs told Ireland’s Newstalk radio station, pointing to years of wrangling over pay and conditions at rival Lufthansa.
“There is going to be disruption, it will be small, we will manage it... We are making progress around the rest of Europe, strikes can be part of that process, they are not helpful, but we will get collective labor agreements in place over the autumn in our key markets.”
Ryanair proposes mediator for Irish pilots union talks
Ryanair proposes mediator for Irish pilots union talks
Mawani, Qatar Ports ink cooperation deal to boost regional maritime trade
RIYADH: The Saudi Ports Authority, or Mawani, and Qatar Ports Management Co. signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting maritime and logistics cooperation, contributing to the development of the ports sector, raising operational efficiency, and supporting regional and international trade flows.
The MoU was signed by Mawani President Suliman Al-Mazroua and Qatar Ports Management Co. CEO Abdullah Mohammed Al-Khanji, in the presence of Qatari Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Attiyah.
The step reflects both sides’ commitment to building effective partnerships, exchanging expertise, establishing an organized framework for cooperation management, and developing joint investment opportunities in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030.
The MoU outlines eight key areas of cooperation, including the exchange of best practices in port management and operations, and studying opportunities for direct maritime and land connectivity between the two countries’ ports to enhance trade efficiency.
It also includes collaboration in logistics services, exploring the establishment of joint maritime corridors serving bilateral and regional trade, and assessing the feasibility of creating shared regional distribution centers.
Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation in digital transformation and artificial intelligence, focusing on smart systems, data governance, and a unified maritime window to improve operational efficiency and remain at the forefront of technological progress in the maritime sector.
The MoU emphasizes maritime safety and environmental protection, including the exchange of expertise on marine pollution control and emergency response, the development of joint maritime emergency plans, and the establishment of a bilateral emergency communication line.
It also promotes collaboration to ensure compliance with international conventions, conduct joint exercises, and implement risk-monitoring systems.
Cooperation further extends to human capital development through joint training programs and on-the-ground expertise exchanges, as well as academic and research partnerships in maritime transport and logistics.
Regarding joint investment, both parties will explore local and international opportunities in ports and related services, coordinating with the private sector to support these initiatives.
The MoU also includes cooperation in cruise tourism through enhanced maritime connectivity and joint promotion of Gulf cruise routes, as well as coordination of positions in international maritime organizations and support for joint initiatives, notably “Green Ports” and “Safe Sea Corridors.”
This memorandum reflects the commitment of Mawani and Qatar Ports Management Co. to advancing the ports sector and boosting its role as a key driver of trade and economic growth, contributing to Gulf integration, and enhancing regional competitiveness in maritime services.
