The low cost carrier said the move was driven by the “rapid growth” of its Polish charter airline, Ryanair Sun, and a downturn in forward bookings due to Irish pilot strikes.
At least six Ryanair aircraft at Dublin will be replaced by Ryanair Sun aircraft due to the subsidiary’s “profitable growth” in 2018.
More than 100 Dublin-based pilots and 200 cabin crew have been placed on 90-day notice, with some destined to lose their jobs from October 28.
Ryanair will consult with staff on redundancy and will offer transfers to Poland and potentially other bases to minimise job losses.
Peter Bellew, Ryanair chief operating officer, said: “We regret these base aircraft reductions at Dublin for winter 2018, but the board has decided to allocate more aircraft to those markets where we are enjoying strong growth (such as Poland).
This will result in some aircraft reductions and job cuts in country markets where business has weakened, or forward bookings are being damaged by rolling strikes by Irish pilots. Ryanair operates a fleet of more tan 450 aircraft from 87 bases across Europe.
“We can only do so if we continue to offer low fares, reliable flight services to our customers, and if our reputation for reliability or forward bookings is affected, then base and potential job cuts such as these at Dublin are a deeply regretted consequence.”
The airline said the ongoing pilots strikes had had a “negative effect” on high fare bookings and forward air fares due to falling consumer confidence and “disturbed” to Irish flight schedules.
Ryanair Sun will offer more than 10 aircraft to Polish tour operators from Dublin, more than double on summer 2018.
Ryanair added while it expects “few route closures from Dublin”, some may suffer frequency reductions.
It has pledged to brief unions and its pilots committee on Wednesday (July 25) on its planned cuts and job losses.
