Fury as Ryanair engineering staff let go despite government support

Prospect has reacted furiously to the news that Ryanair engineers with less than one year’s service are being let go – despite the government offer to fund 80% of their wages.

Ryanair engineering firm, Aircraft Engineering Services, contacted Ryanair engineers on Monday 23 March to tell them it was terminating their contracts. This was just days after the government announced support to keep people in work.

Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said:

“It is absolutely outrageous that Ryanair is laying off staff despite the government putting in place a scheme to help them retain staff on 80% pay funded by the government.

“There is no excuse for this behaviour which is only going to compound an already desperate situation for aviation workers. Prospect has been engaging with the Department for Transport and will raise this issue directly as soon as possible”.

“Ryanair must urgently reverse this decision and the government should confirm that workers can be hired back by their companies and still qualify for the support package.”